Chicago vs Austin
Cost of Living (2026)

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

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At a glance

Chicago, IL

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

Austin, TX

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryChicago indexAustin indexDifference
Housing139 ✓144+5%
Groceries101 ✓104+3%
Transportation102 ✓105+3%
Healthcare104 ✓107+3%
Utilities101 ✓104+3%

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

Salary equivalency: Chicago → Austin

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

Salary in ChicagoEquivalent in AustinDifference
$60,000$57,000$-3,000
$80,000$76,000$-4,000
$100,000$96,000$-4,000
$130,000$124,000$-6,000
$150,000$143,000$-7,000
$200,000$191,000$-9,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Chicago, IL and Austin, TX, 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 Chicago is $330,000, compared to $520,000 in Austin. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,650/month in Chicago versus $1,650/month in Austin.

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