Houston vs Chicago
Cost of Living (2026)

Houston is 18% less expensive than Chicago. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Illinois's 4.95%.

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At a glance

Houston, TX

COL index91 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,250/mo ✓
Median home price$290K ✓
VS

Chicago, IL

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryHouston indexChicago indexDifference
Housing118 ✓139+21%
Groceries87 ✓101+14%
Transportation88 ✓102+14%
Healthcare88 ✓104+16%
Utilities89 ✓101+12%

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

Salary equivalency: Houston → Chicago

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

Salary in HoustonEquivalent in ChicagoDifference
$60,000$76,000+$16,000
$80,000$101,000+$21,000
$100,000$126,000+$26,000
$130,000$164,000+$34,000
$150,000$190,000+$40,000
$200,000$253,000+$53,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Houston, TX and Chicago, IL, Houston comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 91 versus 107 for Chicago — a difference of approximately 18%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Houston 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 Houston is $290,000, compared to $330,000 in Chicago. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,250/month in Houston versus $1,650/month in Chicago.

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