Having lived in Chicago and in Boston now, I'd recommend Chicago. Boston is VERY expensive. I had a great, large studio for around $750 in Lincoln Park. Granted it was a few years ago, but I was recently on Craigslist and was quite surprised to see that the rents haven't increased in Chicago as much as I expected. For your price range in Boston, it will either put you in a not so great area or living with a few students. I didn't have a car in Chicago and got around fine. Here, unless you live in/right near the city, I find transportation to be slow and not really conveinent. If you're open to living with students, Cambridge is more reasonable on rent, as is Sommerville (just need to really look at where you go). And yes, the "T" is $1.25.

I like Boston much better as a city, but Chicago is noticeably cheaper. Depends on what you are looking for.

There's a lot more to city than price. You'd have to pay me to live in Chicago. But I have friends who've really enjoyed living there.

In the 2000 cencus Boston doesn't even have 600,000 people. Chicago is many, many times both people and distance.

If you include suburbs, I would think you are in a category of 5 Bostons to make one Chicagoland. That is very different.

In the 2000 census Boston doesn't even have 600,000 people. Chicago is many, many times both people and distance.

If you include suburbs, I would think you are in a category of 5 Bostons to make one Chicagoland. That is very different.

Sorry for the double post. The edit feature posted again instead of editing my post.

Editing features don't always work on this site.

Don't be deceived by Boston's apparently low population. It's a very compact city, just 48 square miles compared to Chicago's 228. If you looked at the 228 square mile area centered on Boston proper, their populations would be comparable.

I would think one advantage that Boston has is it's proximity to both beautiful mountains and seacoast.

I've always been attracted to Boston's 'compactedness', I think Chicago is a bit too big and spread out.

Yes, Vittrad, that's why I posted the demographics. Not because of density "feel" but because they are so extremely apples and oranges. Chicago is extremely different from all the Eastern cities. Chicago is big enough in distance to be at least 10 cities. That's why the "neighborhood" talk becomes so much more important than in places like Boston. For instance, I read all the time that the Metra, trains, public transportation is great in Chicago. NOT, for all of Chicago at all.

I know less about and have fewer ties community-wise with Bucktown or Lincoln Park, than I do with places like Joliet or Lockport. So to my mind, that is a very, very different thing.

One of the reasons Boston's housing et al. is so expensive is that it is so limited.

I live in a suburb 25 min west of Boston and renting a studio or 1 bed apartment cost at least $800 plus utilities. Some communities have commuter rail into Boston, so you don't necessarily have to drive into Boston (parking is very expensive inside the city). The closer to Boston, the more expensive the rent and the smaller the units.

Also, don't forget state income tax (5% MA) and sales tax (5% except for food and clothing). I don't know what the rates are in Chicago....can someone give that info for comparison?

I'd second the part of Forest Park nearest to Oak Park -- although the condos there are beginning to get pricey.

I'm pretty sure that Chicago has the highest or one of the highest sales tax added costs to nearly everything you purchase. The state's alone is an added 6.25%. City sales tax within Chicago is addition/ more. Hotel rooms have just added a couple more percent within Chicago itself, thank Major Daley for that one. There is something called entertainment tax now.

Actually for items like liquor and some other categories the sales tax is 9-3/4%. It's always been 1 or 2% more if I buy something in Chicago than if I go across the street and buy it in a surburb. On cars, etc. large purchases- this is something few overlook.

There is also a state income tax.

And I would definitely second a look at that part of Chicagoland that sfowler just mentioned. My first thought was the West side for better commutes and more affordability in rental. Southside around Midway would be less, and some South or SW suburbs would be less, but unless you are right on the orange line-trains and buses- well it's a real trek.

IMHO, if I was coming into any Chicago market, rental or purchase, I would not commit to more than 2 or 3 months until I had roamed enough to see where I wanted to perch.

If you are really serious about wanting to know what neighborhoods are "safe" in Chicago, than you need to google crime stats and learn the names/locations of 30 to 40 constantly changing areas. The real truth is that some of the very "favorable" or trendy neighborhoods are not particularly safe, and vice/versa.

I suspect that a rent of $800 (+utils) for a decent apartment anywhere in the metro Boston area is actually a steal and not that easy to find. It has been my experience that the best apartments may not even be advertised but are rented word of mouth. I was incredibly fortunate to land an apartment in a very desirable area (where most apartments go for $1000 and up) for a little less than $800 plus all utils. How did I do this? I happened to have a friend who already rented from a good landlord who also believed in affordable housing - wonder of wonders! I would, of course, love to own, but unless this huge housing bubble bursts that will be the day- Also, I pay $170/month to commute into Boston every day so that should be taken into account as well.

It does sound as if Chicago rents are more reasonable than Boston. No big surprise there.

I moved to Chicago from Michigan 8 1/2 years ago. As someone else has pointed out, you don't need a car in Chicago. I sold my car right before I moved, and it was the best decision I could have made. Saved me big bucks over the years, and there is practically nowhere I can't get to without a car. If you plan on bringing a car, I highly suggest you don't and put that money towards other living expenses and/or savings.