đź“Š Lifestyle Match
Visualizing the tradeoffs between Inglewood and Chicago
Head-to-Head Analysis
Inglewood vs Chicago
Detailed breakdown of cost of living, income potential, and lifestyle metrics.
đź“‹ The Details
Line-by-line data comparison.
| Category / Metric | Inglewood | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Financial Overview | ||
| Median Income | $72,900 | $74,474 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5% | 4.2% |
| Housing Market | ||
| Median Home Price | $749,000 | $365,000 |
| Price per SqFt | $542 | $261 |
| Monthly Rent (1BR) | $2,252 | $1,507 |
| Housing Cost Index | 173.0 | 110.7 |
| Cost of Living | ||
| Groceries Index | 107.9 | 103.3 |
| Gas Price (Gallon) | $3.98 | $3.40 |
| Safety & Lifestyle | ||
| Violent Crime (per 100k) | 678.0 | 819.0 |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.2% | 45.7% |
| Air Quality (AQI) | 97 | 38 |
Expert Verdict
AI-generated analysis based on current data.
The Ultimate Head-to-Head: Chicago vs. Inglewood
A Relocation Expert's Data-Driven Showdown
You’re standing at a crossroads. On one side, you have Chicago—the Windy City, a sprawling metropolis of 2.6 million people with deep roots, brutal winters, and a reputation for hard work and world-class pizza. On the other, Inglewood—a city on the rise in the heart of Los Angeles County, home to the SoFi Stadium, a booming entertainment scene, and a price tag that screams "LA dream" (or nightmare, depending on your budget).
Choosing between these two is less about geography and more about lifestyle. Are you trading snow boots for flip-flops? Deep-dish for street tacos? A Midwest budget for a coastal premium?
Let’s cut through the noise. As your relocation expert, I’m here to give you the straight talk, backed by hard data, so you can make a move you won’t regret.
1. The Vibe Check: Culture & Lifestyle
Chicago is the quintessential "big city" experience. It’s a global hub for finance, tech, and the arts, with a distinct neighborhood feel. You can spend a Saturday exploring the street art in Pilsen, catch a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, or dive into the jazz scene in Bronzeville. The energy is palpable, the history is rich, and the food scene is legendary (yes, the deep-dish is real). It’s a city for doers—people who thrive on ambition, community, and the four distinct seasons.
Inglewood is the epicenter of the "South Bay" hustle. It’s a historically working-class city undergoing a massive transformation, fueled by the $5 billion SoFi Stadium complex. The vibe is energetic, entrepreneurial, and deeply connected to the broader LA entertainment and sports machine. Think less "neighborhood charm" and more "strategic positioning." You’re not just living here; you’re positioning yourself for opportunity in Southern California. It's a city for networkers—people who value access, weather, and the relentless pursuit of the next big thing.
Who is it for?
- Chicago: The urban professional, the culture vulture, the family that wants a walkable neighborhood with a strong sense of place, and anyone who values a lower cost of living without sacrificing city amenities.
- Inglewood: The entertainment industry aspirant, the sports fanatic, the sun-seeker, and the investor betting on the continued boom of the LA metro area.
2. The Dollar Power: Cost of Living & Salary Wars
This is where the rubber meets the road. Sticker shock is real, especially when comparing these two markets.
Let's break down the monthly essentials. Data is based on recent indices and median figures.
| Category | Chicago | Inglewood | The Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Price | $365,000 | $749,000 | Inglewood is 105% more expensive. This is the single biggest divide. |
| Rent (1BR) | $1,507 | $2,252 | Inglewood rent is 49% higher. The "rent vs. buy" math gets skewed quickly here. |
| Housing Index | 110.7 | 173.0 | A composite score where 100 is the national average. Inglewood is 56% above the U.S. norm. |
| Median Income | $74,474 | $72,900 | Essentially a tie. This is the critical point: You earn nearly the same money here, but your dollar buys drastically less in Inglewood. |
The Purchasing Power Verdict: If you earn $100,000, your money stretches significantly further in Chicago. A $365,000 home is a stretch but feasible; a $749,000 home in Inglewood is a monumental financial leap. In Chicago, you can afford a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. In Inglewood, that same salary puts you firmly in the "house-poor" category unless you have a partner with a high income or a substantial down payment.
The Tax Twist: Illinois has a flat state income tax of 4.95%. California’s state income tax is progressive, and at a $100k income, you’d pay roughly 6-7%. While California’s Prop 13 limits property tax increases for homeowners, the overall tax burden in CA is generally higher, especially when you factor in high sales tax (Inglewood: ~10.25%). Chicago feels like a financial bargain in this comparison.
3. The Housing Market: Buy vs. Rent
Chicago: A Buyer’s Market with a Catch. With a median home price of $365,000, the barrier to entry is reasonable for a major metro. However, the market is highly segmented. A single-family home in a desirable North Side neighborhood will cost far more, while South and West Side neighborhoods offer incredible value. The key is finding the right block. Availability is decent, but competition is fierce for the "perfect" move-in-ready home. It’s a seller’s market in prime areas, buyer’s elsewhere.
Inglewood: A Seller’s Market on Steroids. At $749,000, the median price is astronomical for a standalone home. You’re competing with cash offers from investors and down-sizers from pricier coastal cities. The "starter home" is largely extinct here. Renting is the default for many, and even that is a financial burden. The market is intensely competitive, with low inventory and high demand. If you don’t have significant capital, buying is a distant dream.
4. The Dealbreakers: Quality of Life
Traffic & Commute
- Chicago: Traffic is a beast, but the public transit system (the 'L' and buses) is one of the best in the country and a true lifeline. You can live car-free in many neighborhoods. Commute times average 35-45 minutes.
- Inglewood: You are in the heart of LA traffic. The 405, 105, and 110 freeways are legendary for gridlock. Public transit exists (Metro Rail), but it’s not as comprehensive or reliable as Chicago’s. A car is non-negotiable. Commute times often exceed 45-60 minutes, even for short distances.
Weather
- Chicago: The data point of 21.0°F is a winter low, not an average. Winters are long, dark, and can be brutal with lake-effect snow and bitter winds (-20°F wind chills are not uncommon). Summers are hot and humid. The weather is a major lifestyle factor you must be prepared for.
- Inglewood: The 64.0°F is a year-round average. It’s the stuff of dreams: dry, sunny, and mild. You trade brutal winters for wildfire season and the occasional heatwave. For many, this is a non-negotiable winner.
Crime & Safety
- Chicago: Violent crime rate is 819.0 per 100k people. This is high, but context is everything. Crime is hyper-concentrated in specific neighborhoods on the South and West Sides. Many neighborhoods (Lincoln Park, Lakeview, North Center) are exceptionally safe, with crime rates comparable to the national average. The key is knowing your neighborhood.
- Inglewood: Violent crime rate is 678.0 per 100k people. Statistically lower than Chicago, but it’s a smaller city, and crime can be more concentrated. The influx of development and wealth is changing the landscape, but pockets of the city still face challenges. It’s crucial to research specific streets, as the city is block-by-block.
5. The Verdict: Who Wins?
After crunching the numbers and living the pros and cons, here’s the final call.
🏆 Winner for Families: Chicago
The math is undeniable. For the price of a median home in Inglewood ($749k), you can get a beautiful, large home in a family-oriented Chicago neighborhood like Beverly, Lincoln Square, or Portage Park, with great schools, parks, and a strong community. The lower cost of living, combined with world-class museums (Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium) and a more manageable pace (outside downtown), makes it a superior choice for raising kids without breaking the bank.
🏆 Winner for Singles/Young Pros: Inglewood (with a caveat)
If you’re in entertainment, sports, or tech and your career is tied to the LA ecosystem, Inglewood’s proximity to the action is unbeatable. The networking potential is immense. However, this is only if you have the income to support it. If you’re a young pro in a field that pays less, Chicago offers a more vibrant, affordable, and socially rich single life. Inglewood is for the ambitious go-getter with a six-figure trajectory.
🏆 Winner for Retirees: Chicago
Again, the financials rule. Retiring on a fixed income in Southern California is incredibly stressful. Chicago offers a lower cost of living, a more compact and walkable environment for those who may drive less, and a wealth of cultural and recreational activities. The brutal winters are a significant drawback, but for those who can manage or afford to travel seasonally, the financial peace of mind is priceless.
Final Pros & Cons
Chicago
Pros:
- Massive value for your dollar. Home prices and rent are dramatically lower.
- World-class public transit. You can live car-free.
- Deep, diverse culture & food scene.
- Strong neighborhood identity and community feel.
- Central hub for travel to the East Coast, Midwest, and South.
Cons:
- Brutal winters. A significant lifestyle commitment.
- High violent crime rate (though highly neighborhood-dependent).
- High taxes (property and sales tax).
- Traffic congestion is still a major issue.
Inglewood
Pros:
- Incredible weather. Year-round mild climate.
- Strategic location near LA, beaches, and industry hubs.
- Booming economy with major new developments (SoFi Stadium, Intuit Dome).
- Lower violent crime rate than Chicago (on paper).
- Vibrant, energetic, and upwardly mobile vibe.
Cons:
- Astronomical cost of living. Housing is prohibitively expensive.
- Car-dependent lifestyle. Long, stressful commutes.
- High state income and sales taxes.
- Rapid gentrification is changing the city's character quickly.
- The "LA premium" applies to everything from groceries to entertainment.
The Bottom Line:
Choose Chicago if you want big-city amenities on a middle-class budget, value walkable neighborhoods, and can handle the winter.
Choose Inglewood if weather is your top priority, you're chasing career opportunities in the LA scene, and you have (or will soon have) the high income required to live there comfortably.