Fort Worth vs Chicago
Cost of Living (2026)

Fort Worth is 15% less expensive than Chicago. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Illinois's 4.95%.

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At a glance

Fort Worth, TX

COL index93 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,280/mo ✓
Median home price$315K ✓
VS

Chicago, IL

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryFort Worth indexChicago indexDifference
Housing121 ✓139+18%
Groceries89 ✓101+12%
Transportation90 ✓102+12%
Healthcare90 ✓104+14%
Utilities91 ✓101+10%

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

Salary equivalency: Fort Worth → Chicago

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

Salary in Fort WorthEquivalent in ChicagoDifference
$60,000$74,000+$14,000
$80,000$99,000+$19,000
$100,000$124,000+$24,000
$130,000$161,000+$31,000
$150,000$186,000+$36,000
$200,000$248,000+$48,000

Fort Worth vs Chicago: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Fort Worth, TX and Chicago, IL, Fort Worth comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 93 versus 107 for Chicago — a difference of approximately 15%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth is $315,000, compared to $330,000 in Chicago. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,280/month in Fort Worth versus $1,650/month in Chicago.

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