Is Chicago expensive to live in?

Chicago is on the pricier side of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,258 per month ranks #24 of 50 and is about the same as the $1,223 median.

What is the average rent in Chicago?

Average rent in Chicago, IL runs a studio around $1,186, a one-bedroom around $1,258, a two-bedroom around $1,406, a three-bedroom around $1,554 per month (US Census ACS).

How much do you need to earn to live in Chicago?

To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,258 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year. The median household income here is $75,134.

How much does it cost to live in Chicago per month?

A rough monthly baseline for one person in Chicago is about $1,440 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

White and brown city buildings during daytime — Chicago, IL

Cost of Living in Chicago, IL

Population 2,696,555 · Illinois

~$1,440/mo est.1BR $1,258Home $315,200

Photo: Pedro Lastra / Unsplash

Compare with:

The cost of living in Chicago, IL is driven mostly by housing. A one-bedroom apartment rents for around $1,258 a month — about the same as the $1,223 median across the 50 large US cities we track. Studios average $1,186 and two-bedrooms $1,406.

Median household income here is $75,134, about the same as the $75,900 median of the cities we track. Adding typical electricity and heating to one-bedroom rent, a rough monthly baseline for one person is about $1,440 before food and transport. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Rent1BR $1,258

Studio

$1,186

1 Bedroom

$1,258

2 Bedroom

$1,406

3 Bedroom

$1,554

Buying a Home$315,200

Median Home Value

$315,200

Income$75,134

Median Household Income

$75,134

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

Household income: Census ACS, city. Metro median wage: BLS OEWS, all occupations, 2025 (metro area).

GroceriesMidwest

Milk (gal)

$4.14

Bread (lb)

$1.79

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.97

Chicken (lb)

$2.15

Bananas (lb)

$0.63

Average prices, Midwest (BLS, 2026-04-01). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

Utilities18.9¢/kWh

Electricity

18.9¢/kWh

Natural Gas

$12.10/MCF

Residential, state-level averages (EIA, 2026-03-01). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Gas$4.82/gal

Regular Gasoline (Chicago)

$4.82/gal

EIA weekly retail average, week of 2026-05-25.

Public Transit$2.50

Base Fare (CTA)

$2.50

Adult base one-way fare on the primary agency (2026).

State Taxes (IL)6.25% sales

State Sales Tax

6.25%

State Income Tax (top rate)

Up to 4.95%

State-level rates. Local sales taxes may add more. Income tax shown is the top marginal rate; most filers pay less.

Crime539.8 violent

Violent Crime (per 100k/yr)

539.8

Property Crime (per 100k/yr)

3,489.9

FBI Crime Data Explorer, Chicago Police Department (2024). Offenses per 100,000 residents per year. Agency reporting practices vary, so cross-city comparisons are approximate.

People & LifestyleAge 35.7 yrs

Median Age

35.7 yrs

Homeownership

45.5%

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

Avg Commute

33.5 min

Climate52.7°F

Avg Annual Temperature

52.7°F

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

Chicago cost of living — FAQ

Is Chicago expensive to live in?: Chicago is on the pricier side of the 50 US cities we track. Its one-bedroom rent of $1,258 per month ranks #24 of 50 and is about the same as the $1,223 median.
What is the average rent in Chicago?: Average rent in Chicago, IL runs a studio around $1,186, a one-bedroom around $1,258, a two-bedroom around $1,406, a three-bedroom around $1,554 per month (US Census ACS).
How much do you need to earn to live in Chicago?: To keep a one-bedroom rent of $1,258 near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year. The median household income here is $75,134.
How much does it cost to live in Chicago per month?: A rough monthly baseline for one person in Chicago is about $1,440 — one-bedroom rent plus typical residential electricity and heating. It excludes food, transport, and healthcare, so a full budget is higher.

Compare Chicago with nearby cities

Chicago vs Milwaukee Chicago vs Indianapolis Chicago vs Louisville Chicago vs Columbus Chicago vs Minneapolis Chicago vs Nashville

Nearby cities

Milwaukee, WI 81 mi Indianapolis, IN 165 mi Louisville, KY 269 mi Columbus, OH 276 mi Minneapolis, MN 355 mi Nashville, TN 398 mi

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981-2010 (climate); EIA (gas, utilities); BLS Average Price Data (groceries) & OEWS (metro wage); transit agencies (fares); FBI Crime Data Explorer (crime); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes). Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + utilities; not a full cost of living.