Is the cost of living in DC cheaper than Chicago? (Washington: apartments, for rent)

[100percent]

How much would rent be for a nice two bedroom apartment in a nice diverse area? When i say diverse i mean black, white, hispanic. THANKS!

[ERS-One]

No. D.C. is more expensive. Per some CNN Money article someone posted in another thread, for every $100,000 you earn in Chicago, you would have to earn $119,000 in D.C. for the same exact home, shopping, lifestyle, etc. I could look for the link if you'd like.

[Mrs. 14th & You]

To answer the question in your subject line, no. Emphatically no. Housing costs in DC drive up the cost of living drastically.

Here are some diverse, commercially active neighborhoods in DC. You might want to run them through Craigslist and other apartment searches to see what you come up with.
U Street
Columbia Heights
Mount Pleasant
Petworth
Adams Morgan

It also depends on what you mean by "nice" and your requirements for your future neighborhood, aside from diversity. In Columbia Heights, one can obtain a small (700 sq. ft.) 2 bed apt. in a newly constructed high-rise building for $2000/mo. In the same neighborhood, I saw listings in the Washington Post go as high as $3300/mo. However, if you are willing to rent in an older building, sublet, or take an English basement apartment in a row home, you could probably find what you seek for $1500/mo.

[terrence81]

Originally Posted by 100percent

How much would rent be for a nice two bedroom apartment in a nice diverse area? When i say diverse i mean black, white, hispanic. THANKS!

Is Chicago cheaper than DC. Oh God no. I just looked at what some apartments in Chicago costs and my jaw dropped. I couldn't believe that such a large city could be that affordable especially when compared to the DC area. Yeah DC is not as large as Chicago so you'd think DC would be cheaper but no so not true. If you're coming to DC be prepared to pay more for rent.

[tech2enable]

Originally Posted by terrence81

Is Chicago cheaper than DC. Oh God no. I just looked at what some apartments in Chicago costs and my jaw dropped. I couldn't believe that such a large city could be that affordable especially when compared to the DC area. Yeah DC is not as large as Chicago so you'd think DC would be cheaper but no so not true. If you're coming to DC be prepared to pay more for rent.

One caveat, the price for middle management housing in chicago is just as expensive as D.C.

[tech2enable]

Originally Posted by ERS-One

No. D.C. is more expensive. Per some CNN Money article someone posted in another thread, for every $100,000 you earn in Chicago, you would have to earn $119,000 in D.C. for the same exact home, shopping, lifestyle, etc. I could look for the link if you'd like.

Not necessarily, D.C. may not be more expensive it depends on lifestyle and circumstances, its too early to tell , maybe the poster should post more information.

[14thandYou]

Originally Posted by tech2enable

One caveat, the price for middle management housing in chicago is just as expensive as D.C.

What is "middle management housing"? I've never heard the term used before.

[Stephen 81]

Originally Posted by 14thandYou

What is "middle management housing"? I've never heard the term used before.

Me neither, but it's certainly not the 2-bedroom apartment the OP is looking for. I would guess middle management housing means a 4 bedroom, 3 bath house from the 1970's on a small lot, but who knows.

To the OP - I think the prices Mrs. 14th & You indicated are accurate, although I'm amazed you can find a new 2 bedroom apartment for $2000 in Columbia Heights.

[juniperbleu]

Originally Posted by 14thandYou

What is "middle management housing"? I've never heard the term used before.

Originally Posted by Stephen 81

Me neither, but it's certainly not the 2-bedroom apartment the OP is looking for. I would guess middle management housing means a 4 bedroom, 3 bath house from the 1970's on a small lot, but who knows.

I don't know either, but my guess would be what the "middle-income" family would buy, so it would vary from market to market.

[tech2enable]

Originally Posted by juniperbleu

I don't know either, but my guess would be what the "middle-income" family would buy, so it would vary from market to market.

That may be true, but depending on area middle-income families may not be available to afford that housing