Plano vs Chicago
Cost of Living (2026)

Plano is 2% less expensive than Chicago. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Illinois's 4.95%.

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At a glance

Plano, TX

COL index105 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,500/mo ✓
Median home price$430K
VS

Chicago, IL

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryPlano indexChicago indexDifference
Housing137 ✓139+2%
Groceries100 ✓101+1%
Transportation100 ✓102+2%
Healthcare102 ✓104+2%
Utilities100 ✓101+1%

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

Salary equivalency: Plano → Chicago

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

Salary in PlanoEquivalent in ChicagoDifference
$60,000$66,000+$6,000
$80,000$88,000+$8,000
$100,000$110,000+$10,000
$130,000$143,000+$13,000
$150,000$164,000+$14,000
$200,000$219,000+$19,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between Plano, TX and Chicago, IL, Plano comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 105 versus 107 for Chicago — a difference of approximately 2%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving Plano 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 Plano is $430,000, compared to $330,000 in Chicago. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,500/month in Plano versus $1,650/month in Chicago.

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