If you embarked on a search for locations that marry urban excitement with a casual, welcoming attitude, look no further than Seattle and Chicago. These cities contain distinct cultural vibes, great food, and vibrant job markets, while, at the same time, providing more affordable and down-to-earth spots than Los Angeles or New York City. But, how do you choose whether you’re more suited for a Pacific Northwest playground or a Midwestern metro?
Our handy guide will help you determine where to search for your next apartment based on the factors that matter most — cost of living, things to do, and much more. Happy home hunting!
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Seattle Vs. Chicago: What You Need to Know to Decide Where to Live
Cost of Living & Housing Situation
Seattle:
As a highly desirable place for many to plant their roots, Seattle’s high living costs reflect its popularity. In fact, this Pacific Northwest gem ranks high among the most expensive places to live in the whole country. However, that does not make finding a home in Seattle an impossible task. The average cost of a one-bedroom apartment is around $2,000 a month, with prices generally decreasing the further out you go from the downtown area. If you’re looking to buy a house in Seattle, according to realtor.com, the median selling price in 2023 is $800K. Any budget should also account for the city’s costly sales taxes, property taxes, and food prices. Despite this expensive milieu, there remains a financial silver lining: there are no income taxes in Washington state.
Chicago:
Like Seattle, living in Chicago won’t come cheap. The average cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the Windy City is also around $2,000 a month. While the median sale price in 2023 appears lower at around $325K, the amount you spend to buy a home depends greatly on the neighborhood you choose and whether you decide on a condo or house. A larger house within city limits, in a highly desirable neighborhood, will easily run upward of a million, whereas a small fixer-upper will run much lower. However, with some of the highest property taxes in the country, many residents choose to rent for much longer.
The biggest determinant that affects your housing costs in Chicago will boil down to the neighborhood you choose to reside in. The most expensive residences are commonly located near downtown and on the Northside of the city, so bargain hunters should focus their searches outside of that area. In addition to housing, you can expect the cost of utilities, transportation, and food to rank higher than average in Chicago.
Lifestyle & Culture
Seattle:
For both outdoor enthusiasts and culture vultures, Seattle delivers in spades. With over 400 parks within Seattle, its residents love to take advantage of the hiking trails, cycling paths, and water activities they provide. The population’s general love of the outdoors extends beyond the city limits as well — during the winter, there are plenty of ski resorts a quick drive away from the metro center. Area residents also place a high value on learning, art, and education. In fact, Seattle contains more bookstores than any other American city. As the birthplace of Grunge music and a hotbed of gaming culture, Seattle’s reputation as a city that embraces all things “quirky” and outside the mainstream is well deserved.
Chicago:
Living in Chicago, you will quickly find out that “Midwestern friendliness” is no myth. Even in the midst of freezing, winter temperatures, smiling faces will still greet you — although they might be obscured by thick, wool scarves. When it comes to the more particular personalities and traits of the people you’ll encounter in Chi-Town, you’ll discover that they vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. For example, young professionals tend to reside in Lincoln Park or Lakeview, while a more hipster vibe can be found in areas like Logan Square and Wicker Park. Yet, on the whole, there are a few things beloved by all walks of Chicago life: festivals, parks, summer days on the lakefront, Italian beef sandwiches, and the Cubs (sorry, White Sox).
Job Market
Seattle:
Seattle’s renown as a tech hub, and its lack of corporate income tax, attract droves of companies. Amazon, Microsoft, and Zillow all originated in Seattle, and they continue to maintain a large presence as well as their company headquarters within the greater metro area. And, Seattle isn’t just a base for big names in the tech industry; it also serves as the flagship location for many other heavy-hitting corporations, including Starbucks, Costco, and Dick’s Sporting Goods. Other major industries in the city include biotech and health care, manufacturing, shipping, and fishing.
Chicago:
A prominent place for industry and commerce since the 1800s, there are job opportunities for seemingly any field you could think of in Chicago. The city remains a homebase for 36 Fortune 500 companies alone: including Boeing, ConocoPhillips, Caterpillar, and United Airlines. In the greater Chicago area, you’ll also find the presence of additional major corporations, such as Ford Motor Company and Nestle. A few of the economic industries that dominate Chicago include leisure, hospitality, manufacturing, transportation, health services, and information technology. However, that list by no means encompasses the vast variety of careers represented throughout the city.
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Traffic & Public Transportation Options
Seattle:
The majority of Seattle residents traverse the city by car. Unfortunately, that means traffic can be a nightmare, and finding a parking spot similarly headache-inducing. More so, the various waterways that surround Seattle limit the ways in which the city can expand its road infrastructure. To combat this issue, the city instead focuses on promoting and expanding alternative forms of transportation, such as public buses, light rails, streetcars, ferries, and water taxis. And, if you feel brave enough to conquer Seattle’s famously hilly terrain, there are plenty of bike lanes for your peddling pleasure.
Chicago:
Chicago’s reliable and extensive network of public transportation is one of the city’s biggest perks. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), which operates the city’s “L” trains and bus routes, built such an efficient, affordable system that it makes car ownership optional. Should you still decide to go the personal vehicle route, prepare for substantial traffic and challenging parking restrictions, and don’t forget to pay for your car’s city sticker (basically, a tax for owning a car in the city). With bike lanes covering the bulk of the city’s streets and rental bike stations around every corner, cycling is also a popular mode of transportation.
Things to Do
Seattle:
When it comes to activities and attractions, Seattle offers a large range of options beyond the standard space needle visit and original Starbucks. To start, there are the city’s numerous parks — all resplendent with the kind of lush, green scenery that earned Seattle the nickname of “The Emerald City.” The largest of them all is Discovery Park, whose waterside location makes it a local favorite for hiking, picnicking, and taking in views of the Puget Sound. And, for the days when Seattle’s trademark rainy weather calls for indoor activities, hit up one of the city’s many museums. At the Chihuly Garden and Glass, you can take in the vibrant, glass-blown sculptures of renowned artist, Dale Chihuly. Another stand-out is the Fyre Art Museum, whose permanent and rotating exhibitions highlight the best in modern and contemporary art.
Chicago:
From sports to art, to music, the adventures you can experience around Chicago are endless. Rooting for the home team is practically a religion in the Windy City. The Cubs, White Sox, Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks are revered in every bar across the city. The Art Institute of Chicago, which houses acclaimed works by Vincent van Gogh and Georges Seurat, consistently ranks as one of the best museums in the entire world. Chicago also houses the original The Second City comedy club, which gave many famous comedians their big break, as well as the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the premier spot for new playwrights in America to showcase their latest pieces. With the single exception of New York City, no city possesses a bigger, more robust Broadway scene.
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Food Scene
Seattle:
With an ideal mix of high-end, five-star restaurants and casual, hole-in-the-wall gems, foodies will find a lot to love in Seattle. In particular, the city’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean results in stand-out seafood dishes. You can buy your own fresh filets at the famed Pike Place Market, or spring for scallops cooked by a James Beard Award-winning chef at The Walrus and The Carpenter. As the birthplace of Starbucks, you better believe Seattle takes its coffee culture seriously. Home to over 850 coffee shops, it’s no exaggeration to say that the city’s streets are lined with java joints. When it comes to adult beverages, Seattle’s libation of choice would have to be beer. With over 150 pint palaces located there, including long-term mainstay, Pike Brewing Company, and hip newcomers, Metier Brewing Company Taproom, Seattle holds the record for most brewpubs found in any U.S. city.
Chicago:
Eating a bad meal in Chicago is like experiencing a winter in the city without any snow — it’s next to impossible. Only Chicago can rival NYC for its world-class food scene. Tourists flock to the city to taste the holy trinity of Chicago street food: deep-dish pizza from Lou Malnati’s, Chicago-style hot dogs made by Vienna Beef (never ask for ketchup), and Italian beef sandwiches from Al’s Beef. They stay, however, for its diverse and complex edible offerings. As an immigrant city, eaters enjoy a global gamut, from traditional German food to Ethiopian fare, from hole-in-the-wall grub to world-famous art on a plate. When it comes to high-end dining, Michelin-starred restaurants, such as Alinea and Goosefoot, abound throughout the city.
Ready to Move from Seattle to Chicago?
The competitive housing scene in Chicago means that luxury apartments get snatched up fast. To ensure that you land in the home of your dreams, you can rely on AptAmigo. Our luxury apartment experts know the best buildings in the city and will match you with the best options for free.
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