Moving to Chicago: Neighborhoods, Renting, Utilities and First-Month Checklist

Moving to Chicago means choosing among the city’s 77 community areas, budgeting for rent (Apartment List’s November 2026 report puts the citywide median one-bedroom at $1,723), and handling a few deadlines. Buy a City Sticker within 30 days if you keep a car, get an Illinois driver’s license within 90 days, and set up electricity with ComEd and gas with Peoples Gas.

Task	Deadline or key fact
City Sticker (if you have a car)	Within 30 days of moving; $105.18/year for most cars in 2026
Illinois driver’s license	New residents may drive on an out-of-state license for the first 90 days
Voter registration	Must live in your precinct at least 30 days before Election Day
Electricity	ComEd (3.8 million customers in northern Illinois)
Natural gas	Peoples Gas (about 898,000 customers in Chicago)
Water, sewer, garbage	Billed by the City of Chicago Department of Finance; the owner is liable
Median rent, citywide	$1,858 overall; $1,723 one-bedroom; $1,875 two-bedroom (Nov. 2026)

Choosing a neighborhood

Chicago is divided into 77 official community areas, and locals also use many informal neighborhood names. Start with our community areas guide and the neighborhoods hub.

Think about your commute first. Living near an L line or a Frequent Network bus route makes going car-free practical.

If you want	Neighborhoods to look at
Walk to downtown jobs	Loop, South Loop, West Loop, River North, Streeterville
Lakefront and parks on the North Side	Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Edgewater, Rogers Park, Uptown
Bars, restaurants and nightlife	Wicker Park, Logan Square, Bucktown, Wrigleyville
Quieter residential streets	Lincoln Square, North Center, Roscoe Village, Andersonville
South Side history and lakefront	Hyde Park, Bronzeville, Bridgeport
Arts and food scenes	Pilsen, Chinatown, Little Italy, Avondale

Visit at different times of day before you sign. Check the walk to transit, grocery options, street parking rules and noise from bars, trains or expressways.

Renting vs. buying

Renting first gives you time to learn the neighborhoods before committing to a purchase.

Citywide, Apartment List’s November 2026 report puts the median rent at $1,858, up 3.4% from a year earlier. One-bedrooms run $1,723 and two-bedrooms $1,875.

Rents vary widely by area. RentHop’s mid-2026 listing data, for example, shows a median one-bedroom of $2,750 in ZIP 60601 (east Loop) compared with $1,700 in ZIP 60608 (Pilsen and Bridgeport area). See cost of living in Chicago for more figures.

If you buy, property taxes are set through Cook County. The County reassesses Chicago properties every three years, most recently in 2024, with the next round in 2027.

Owner-occupants should apply for the Homeowner Exemption, which reduces a home’s equalized assessed value by $10,000. Once granted, it renews automatically while you live there.

Setting up utilities

Electricity: ComEd delivers power across northern Illinois, serving more than 3.8 million customers.
Natural gas: Peoples Gas delivers gas to more than 898,000 customers in Chicago.
Water, sewer and garbage: The City’s Department of Finance bills water and sewer, plus a garbage fee for properties that get City trash pickup. The property owner stays liable even when a tenant’s name is on the bill, so ask whether your lease includes water.
Internet: Compare providers available at your exact address before you sign a lease.

Ask your landlord which utilities you pay and request recent bills, especially for winter heating.

Cars, the City Sticker and your license

If you keep a car in Chicago, buy a City Sticker within 30 days of moving. It costs $105.18 a year for most passenger vehicles in 2026, and a $60 late fee applies after the grace period.

If your block is a residential permit zone, add the zone to your sticker for $35 a year. See driving and parking in Chicago for meter rates, winter parking bans and snow routes.

Under Illinois law, new residents may drive on a valid out-of-state license for their first 90 days. After that, you must hold an Illinois license from the Secretary of State.

You also need to title and register your car in Illinois through the Secretary of State. Check the office’s current requirements before your visit.

Registering to vote

You can register online through the Illinois State Board of Elections. You must be at least 18 by Election Day and live in your precinct at least 30 days before the election.

Update your registration whenever you move, even within Chicago.

First-month checklist

Sign your lease and get a copy of the move-in condition report.
Set up ComEd and Peoples Gas accounts, and confirm who pays water.
Buy a City Sticker within 30 days if you have a car, and add a zone permit if needed.
Get a Ventra card or the Ventra app; see CTA fares.
Schedule your Illinois driver’s license or state ID before your 90 days are up.
Register to vote at your new address.
Learn your block’s street-cleaning days and winter parking rules.
Find your alderman and ward; see Chicago government.
Save 311, the City’s number for non-emergency services.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to get a Chicago city sticker after moving?

30 days from when you become a resident. After the grace period, a $60 late fee applies.

How long can I drive on an out-of-state license after moving to Illinois?

New residents may drive on a valid out-of-state license for the first 90 days of residence. After that, you need an Illinois license.

Who provides electricity and gas in Chicago?

ComEd delivers electricity and Peoples Gas delivers natural gas within the city.

Who pays the water bill in a Chicago apartment?

The City bills water and sewer to the property, and the owner remains liable for unpaid charges. Ask your landlord whether water is included in your lease.

What is the average rent in Chicago?

Apartment List’s November 2026 report lists a citywide median of $1,858, with one-bedrooms at $1,723 and two-bedrooms at $1,875.

What is the best neighborhood to live in when moving to Chicago?

It depends on your commute, budget and lifestyle. Start with our community areas guide and the best-of neighborhood pages linked above.

Related guides

Sources

Last updated: October 31, 2026