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Here’s what $400K buys in Chicago right now

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See homes in Lincoln Park, Bucktown, North Center, and more

By Jay Koziarz

Welcome to Curbed Comparisons, a weekly column that explores what one can buy for a certain dollar amount in various Chicago neighborhoods. We’ve found five homes at or around today’s price of $400,000. Vote for your favorite below.

North Center

The sunny living room has two oversized windows, a sofa, coffee table, area rugs, and wall-mounted TV.
The living room has brick walls, concrete ceilings, and a glass block divided between it and the second bedroom.
The master bedroom has a bed centered against a white wall. Two large window are framed by brick.
The second bedroom has small sitting area. The walls are brick, white, and glass block. Courtesy Sidney Friedman/Dream Town Realty

Let’s start our $400K comparison with this handsome two-bedroom unit in the old Pencil Factory Lofts building in North Center. The lofty space features 12-foot ceilings, exposed brick walls, oversized windows, and a sturdy concrete ceiling. Recent upgrades include a new HVAC system, fresh carpeting in the bedrooms, and refinished hardwood floors in the living room. It’s asking $395,000.

Lincoln Park

The living room has a blue accent wall. fireplace, a leather chair, and fabric couch. The open floorplan flows to the kitchen and lofted living area above.
A bed in the master bedroom is centered on a brick wall with two windows with blinds drawn. The room includes a chair, dresser, and a mirror.
The black metal spiral staircase stops between the first and upper timber floor to access the lofted bedroom and home office space.
A corner view from the top-floor bedroom shows the top of the spiral staircase, two walls of sliding glass doors, and a rooftop deck beyond. VHT Studios/Leigh Marcus @properties

Here’s another two-bedroom loft located in west Lincoln Park, listed for $399,900. The duplex residence has a cozy living room with a fireplace, overhead timber beams, and an updated white kitchen with skylights and a lofted den/third bedroom space above. A spiral staircase leads even higher to another bedroom and an attractive private rooftop deck.

West Town

Multiple windows flood one end of the white-walled living room in light. Here there’s a fireplace, gray sofa, and a leather butterfly chair.
A circular dining room table is surrounded by four chairs. The table site atop a cowhide rug and hardwood floors.
A kitchen with light wood cabinets and island. The counters are green stone, the appliances are metal, and there are three white stools.
A bedroom include a bed with a white blanket and pillows. The walls are white and the door frames are wood. Courtesy Compass listing agent Melanie Giglio

Near the border of West Town and Ukrainian Village, this two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in a handsome vintage walk-up features a bright and open living space with hardwood floors. There’s also a small balcony just off the master bedroom. Own this home for $399,900.

Bucktown

Living room has blue walls, a patterned carpet, leather couch, framed art, and a purple neon light that spells out “never sleep.”
A hallway leading to the dining room and kitchen beyond. There’s shelves, an orange chair, and a spiral staircase going upwards.
The dedicated dining room has a rectangular table for six, a glassy chandelier, and two opene leading to the living room and hallway.
The master bedroom has grey walls and a peaked ceiling. There’s a bed, dressers, a stack of trunks. VHT Studios/D’aprile properties listing agent Grisell Perez

In Bucktown, you can pick up this striking two-level condo occupying the top of an attractive corner building. The three-bedroom residence sports a blue living room, high ceilings, and a spiral staircase leading to a master suite with a dedicated sitting area, home office, and subway-tiled ensuite. It’s asking $385,000—recently reduced from $400,000.

Kenwood

The living has white walls, wood tim, and a fireplace. There’s a beige sofa, area rug, armchair, and reading light.
A lightly furnished room with hardwood floors, a single window, a chair, and art on the wall.
A master bedroom with a bed with a fluffy comforter. There’s a ceiling fan, two windows, and a coffered ceiling with wood strips.
The balcony has three wooden chairs and looks out across the street at trees and a similarly sized brick building. VHT Studios/Compass listing agent Susan Casty

Spanning 2,400 square feet, this Kenwood residence is the roomiest of the bunch. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom condo has bay windows, red pine hardwood floors, and a fireplace in the living room. There’s also a sizable street-facing balcony supported by neoclassical Greek columns topped by Ionic capitals. Listed for $379,000, the South Side property is also the most affordable option.

Poll

Which home would you buy for $400K?

This poll is closed.

  • 8%
    North Center
    (60 votes)
  • 31%
    Lincoln Park
    (215 votes)
  • 12%
    West Town
    (90 votes)
  • 29%
    Bucktown
    (206 votes)
  • 17%
    Kenwood
    (122 votes)
693 votes total Vote Now

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