Chicago vs Dallas
Cost of Living (2026)

Dallas is 10% more affordable than Chicago. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Illinois's 4.95%.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Chicago, IL

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

Dallas, TX

COL index96 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,380/mo ✓
Median home price$340K

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryChicago indexDallas indexDifference
Housing139125 ✓-14%
Groceries10191 ✓-10%
Transportation10292 ✓-10%
Healthcare10493 ✓-11%
Utilities10193 ✓-8%

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

Salary equivalency: Chicago → Dallas

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

Salary in ChicagoEquivalent in DallasDifference
$60,000$50,000$-10,000
$80,000$67,000$-13,000
$100,000$83,000$-17,000
$130,000$108,000$-22,000
$150,000$125,000$-25,000
$200,000$167,000$-33,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Chicago, IL and Dallas, TX, Dallas comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 96 versus 107 for Chicago — a difference of approximately 10%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Dallas 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 $340,000 in Dallas. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,650/month in Chicago versus $1,380/month in Dallas.

Chicago vs Houston →Chicago vs San Antonio →Chicago vs Austin →Chicago vs Fort Worth →Chicago vs El Paso →Chicago vs Arlington →