Chicago vs Washington DC
Washington DC comes out ahead overall, winning 3 of 7 criteria.
Summary
Washington DC edges out Chicago overall (6.7 vs 6.4), but the margin is thin enough that a single strong priority — like climate — could reasonably flip your personal decision the other way.
Quick answers
Safety: Washington DC (7/10 vs 6/10).
Climate: Washington DC (5/10 vs 3/10).
Overall, Washington DC scores higher (6.7/10 vs 6.4/10) across all seven criteria combined.
Cost of living: Chicago (6/10 vs 4/10).
Washington DC — Washington DC scores higher once we weight toward households with kids prioritizing safety, healthcare and clean air (6.4 vs 6.8 for Chicago vs Washington DC), driven largely by safety.
Chicago and Washington DC are a close call for remote work based on internet and cost of living.
Where each city wins
- +Cost of living: notably better than Washington DC (6.0 vs 4.0)
- +Climate: notably better than Chicago (5.0 vs 3.0)
- +Safety: slightly better than Chicago (7.0 vs 6.0)
- +Healthcare: slightly better than Chicago (9.0 vs 8.0)
Which city fits your profile?
Chicago and Washington DC score within a rounding error of each other for remote workers who need fast internet and an affordable, pleasant base, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Chicago and Washington DC score within a rounding error of each other for independent workers balancing cost of living against healthcare access, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Washington DC scores higher once we weight toward households with kids prioritizing safety, healthcare and clean air (6.4 vs 6.8 for Chicago vs Washington DC), driven largely by safety.
Chicago and Washington DC score within a rounding error of each other for movers for whom affordability outweighs every other factor, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Washington DC scores higher once we weight toward people relocating somewhere unfamiliar who weigh personal safety above all (6.4 vs 7.0 for Chicago vs Washington DC), driven largely by safety.
Washington DC scores higher once we weight toward retirees prioritizing healthcare, climate and a calm environment over nightlife or internet speed (6.0 vs 6.5 for Chicago vs Washington DC), driven largely by climate.
Chicago and Washington DC score within a rounding error of each other for students who need affordability, transit and a lively social scene, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Washington DC scores higher once we weight toward expatriates relocating for work who lean on safety, healthcare and internet to stay settled and connected (6.8 vs 7.2 for Chicago vs Washington DC), driven largely by safety.
Chicago and Washington DC score within a rounding error of each other for founders and small business owners who need reliable connectivity and a livable base without big-city costs, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Chicago and Washington DC score within a rounding error of each other for early-career movers who want nightlife and transit within budget, without yet prioritizing healthcare or climate, so this comparison won't settle it either way.
Which city should you choose?
Pick Washington DC instead if you're more of a young family, safety-first mover, or retiree.