Sometimes, living in New York City means spending $2,200 a month for a one-bedroom apartment without an oven.
I’ve lived in six different apartments since moving to NYC in 2019. All but my current place have had ovens, but I’m always curious what the same rent could get me in other cities.
I was thinking about that difference on a recent trip to Chicago. In Queens, where I live, the average rent is $3,486, compared to $1,976 in Chicago, according to a January 2026 rent report from Apartments.com.
While I was there, I found myself scrolling through Zillow when I spotted a brand-new, three-bedroom apartment for $2,200 a month. It looked surprisingly spacious and luxurious for the price, so I decided to take a tour.
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