Chicago, Illinois

Buy vs. Rent Calculator

๐Ÿ“Š Chicago Market Analysis

In Chicago, the real estate market currently shows a Price-to-Rent ratio of **12.7**. With an average home price of $320,000 and monthly rents averaging $2,100, market conditions suggest that **buying** may build wealth faster than renting over a 5-year period. Financial modeling suggests buying only breaks even after **~4 years**. For expats and digital nomads staying less than 3 years, renting saves approximately **$35,520** annually in unrecoverable costs (interest, taxes, and transaction fees). Use the calculator below to input your exact scenario.

Calculating your rent vs buy analysis for Chicago...

Analyzing 30 years of financial projections with $320,000 home price and $2,100/month rent.

Chicago, Illinois: Is it cheaper to rent or buy in 2026?