Should I move to Chicago?

Deciding whether to move to Chicago depends on what you're looking for, but the housing market shows some clear trends. Prices are going up, and homes are selling at a steady pace. Looking at May 2026, the typical home in Chicago is listed for $389,000. This is 3.7% more than it was last month and 2.4% higher than last year, so home values are increasing. There are fewer homes available right now compared to last year. Active listings are down by 10.7%, and fewer new homes are coming onto the market, down 13.0%. This means you'll have fewer choices. When homes do get listed, they are selling fairly quickly, with a median of 33 days on the market. Also, roughly 11.1% of homes are having their prices reduced, which is slightly less than last year. For someone thinking about moving to Chicago, these numbers suggest you should be ready for a competitive market with rising prices and fewer homes to choose from.