Chicago vs Austin
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Chicago
Austin
💡 The Verdict
Chicago and Austin have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
💰 Salary Equivalence
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Illinois salaries · Texas salaries
Living in Chicago vs Austin
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Chicago has a housing index of 112 while Austin sits at 123 (national average = 100). The median home in Chicago costs $310,000 compared to $430,000 in Austin, a difference of $120,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Chicago versus $1,700 in Austin.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Chicago scores 104 while Austin scores 96. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Chicago (101) are higher than Austin (97). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Chicago is $62,097 compared to $75,413 in Austin. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Relocating: Chicago vs Austin
If you are considering a move between Chicago (index: 107) and Austin (index: 107), the 0% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Austin is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.
Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Chicago can afford $1,449/month, while the median household in Austin can afford $1,760/month. With median homes at $310,000 in Chicago versus $430,000 in Austin, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.
Renting vs buying: At $1,700/month in Chicago and $1,700/month in Austin, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.
Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
Reading These Numbers: Chicago (107) vs Austin (107)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Chicago at 107 is 7% above the US average, while Austin at 107 is 7% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.
Chicago and Austin land within 0 points of each other on the composite index (107 vs 107), so the overall cost picture is similar. Transportation shows the widest single-category margin at 116 versus 102, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Chicago and Austin. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Chicago with indices of 112 versus 123. Median home prices of $310,000 in Chicago and $430,000 in Austin underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Chicago has an edge in housing, while Austin is more affordable for groceries and utilities. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.
For renters: With median rents of $1,700/month in Chicago and $1,700/month in Austin, the annual rent difference is approximately $0. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $0 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $120,000 difference in median home prices between Chicago and Austin translates to roughly $7,200 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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