Category: Career / Industry Analysis

You love editing. You hate paying $3,000 a month for a studio apartment in Burbank or Brooklyn. You’ve thought about moving. Maybe back home, or maybe to a cheaper major city like Chicago or Atlanta.

But the fear stops you: "If I leave LA or New York, will my career die? Is there actually any work in Chicago?"

The short answer is Yes, but it’s not the same work. If you are willing to trade "Prestige Narrative" for "High-End Commercial," moving to a Tier 2 market might be the smartest financial decision you ever make.

Here is the reality of the freelance market in cities like Chicago vs. the Coasts.

The Chicago Difference: "Madison Avenue of the Midwest"

If you move to Chicago expecting to cut the next Marvel movie or HBO drama, you will be disappointed. That work is still firmly locked in LA and NY.

However, Chicago is a massive hub for Advertising Agencies.

• The Players: Huge agencies like Leo Burnett, DDB, and Edelman are headquartered or have massive offices there.

• The Work: High-end national commercials, social media campaigns, and branded content.

• The Rates: Because these are national brands (McDonald's, State Farm, etc.), the commercial day rates in Chicago are often comparable to LA/NY rates ($600 - $1,000+ per day for experienced freelancers).

The "Big Fish" Advantage

In Los Angeles, you are competing with 50,000 other editors, including Academy Award winners. In a Tier 2 market, the talent pool is smaller.

• Less Competition: If you bring "LA Experience" and a polished reel to a smaller market, you instantly stand out.

• Networking is Easier: The community is tighter. You aren't just a number; you’re "The editor who just moved from Brooklyn." Word of mouth travels faster.

The Cost of Living Arbitrage

This is just math.

• Los Angeles: You make $5,000/month. Rent is $2,800. You save nothing.

• Chicago: You make $5,000/month (or maybe $4,500). Rent is $1,600 for a nicer place. You save money. You might actually buy a house one day.

The Trade-Off: What You Lose

You have to be honest with yourself about your career goals.

• Narrative is Rare: Indie films shoot in Chicago, but the post-production often goes back to the coasts. If your dream is to win an Oscar for Best Editing, leaving LA makes that path much, much harder.

• The "Corporate" Ceiling: You might eventually feel capped. There are only so many ad agencies. In LA, the ceiling is infinite; in Chicago, the ceiling is "Senior Editor at a Commercial House."

Summary

Moving to Chicago (or Atlanta/Austin) isn't "quitting." It’s pivoting. If you are burned out on the LA grind and want a sustainable life where you can afford a mortgage while cutting high-quality commercial work, the "Second City" might be your first choice.