Chicago vs Dallas
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 PriceBETTER
$465,000
Median RentBETTER
$2,200/mo
Price-to-Rent RatioTIE
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 Price
$505,000
Median Rent
$2,400/mo
Price-to-Rent RatioTIE
17.5
Property Tax RateBETTER
1.80%
Price Change (1Y)BETTER
+4.3%
Price Change (5Y)BETTER
+26.0%
Break-Even YearsTIE
7 years
10-Year Wealth Difference
$10,000
Key Differences
Home Prices
Chicago's median home price of $465,000 is lower than Dallas's $505,000 by 8%.
Monthly Rent
Renting in Chicago costs $2,200/mo compared to $2,400/mo in Dallas—a difference of $200/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 Dallas.
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.