Austin vs Chicago
Cost of Living (2026)

Chicago is 3% more affordable than Austin. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Illinois's 4.95%.

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At a glance

Austin, TX

COL index110
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo
Median home price$520K
VS

Chicago, IL

COL index107 ✓
State income tax4.95%
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo
Median home price$330K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryAustin indexChicago indexDifference
Housing144139 ✓-5%
Groceries104101 ✓-3%
Transportation105102 ✓-3%
Healthcare107104 ✓-3%
Utilities104101 ✓-3%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Austin → Chicago

What salary in Chicago gives you the same purchasing power as your Austin salary?

Salary in AustinEquivalent in ChicagoDifference
$60,000$63,000+$3,000
$80,000$84,000+$4,000
$100,000$105,000+$5,000
$130,000$136,000+$6,000
$150,000$157,000+$7,000
$200,000$209,000+$9,000

Austin vs Chicago: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Austin, TX and Chicago, IL, Chicago comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 107 versus 110 for Austin — a difference of approximately 3%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Austin workers an immediate 4.95% take-home pay advantage over Chicago workers who pay Illinois's 4.95% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Austin is $520,000, compared to $330,000 in Chicago. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,650/month in Austin versus $1,650/month in Chicago.

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