Chicago vs Columbus
Side-by-side rent vs buy analysis comparing these two markets
Overall Comparison
Both cities are evenly matched
Both cities offer similar value for rent vs buy decisions.
Median Home Price
$465,000
Median Rent
$2,200/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.6
Property Tax Rate
2.27%
Price Change (1Y)
+2.8%
Price Change (5Y)
+13.0%
Break-Even YearsTIE
7 years
10-Year Wealth DifferenceBETTER
+$20,000
Median Home PriceBETTER
$335,000
Median RentBETTER
$1,600/mo
Price-to-Rent RatioBETTER
17.4
Property Tax RateBETTER
1.56%
Price Change (1Y)BETTER
+4.4%
Price Change (5Y)BETTER
+26.0%
Break-Even YearsTIE
7 years
10-Year Wealth Difference
$15,000
Key Differences
Home Prices
Chicago's median home price of $465,000 is higher than Columbus's $335,000 by 39%.
Monthly Rent
Renting in Chicago costs $2,200/mo compared to $1,600/mo in Columbus—a difference of $600/mo.
Buy vs Rent Verdict
Both cities currently favor either option.
Break-Even Timeline
Buying breaks even in 7 years in Chicago vs 7 years in Columbus.
Run Your Own Numbers
This comparison uses median values. Your income, savings, and goals matter. Use our Buy vs Rent calculator to get a personalized analysis.