Living Cost Compare
Annapolis

Maryland

$1,820/mo est.

vs
Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,820 in Annapolis, MD versus $1,490 in Chicago, IL. Overall, Chicago, IL is roughly 18% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Annapolis, MD, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $104,257 in Annapolis, MD and $75,134 in Chicago, IL — about 28% higher in Annapolis, MD. Maryland has a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Annapolis, MD
Chicago, IL

Rent

Studio
$1,239
$1,186
+4% in Annapolis, MD
1 Bedroom
$1,598
$1,258
+21% in Annapolis, MD
2 Bedroom
$1,864
$1,406
+25% in Annapolis, MD
3 Bedroom
$2,232
$1,554
+30% in Annapolis, MD

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$510,200
$315,200
+38% in Annapolis, MD

Income

Median Household Income
$104,257
$75,134
+28% in Annapolis, MD
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$59,070
$54,720
+7% in Annapolis, MD

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
40.9 yr
35.7 yr
+5.2 yr in Annapolis, MD
Homeownership
59.8%
45.5%
+14.3 pp in Annapolis, MD
Bachelor's+ (25+)
53.7%
43.3%
+10.4 pp in Annapolis, MD
Avg Commute
28.7 min
33.5 min
+4.8 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
806
539.8
+33% in Annapolis, MD
Property Crime
2,111.5
3,489.9
+65% in Chicago, IL

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature
57.1°F
52.7°F
+4.4°F in Annapolis, MD
Annual Precipitation
—
38.0 in

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$3.86/gal
$4.29/gal
+11% in Chicago, IL

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Chicago.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
—
$2.50

Adult base one-way fare — — vs CTA (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
21.8
23.9
+10% in Chicago, IL
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$18.94
$15.39
+19% in Annapolis, MD

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.00
$4.31
+8% in Chicago, IL
Bread (lb)
$1.75
$1.66
+5% in Annapolis, MD
Eggs (doz)
$2.21
$3.63
+64% in Chicago, IL
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.45
$6.77
+5% in Chicago, IL
Chicken (lb)
$1.90
$2.10
+10% in Chicago, IL
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.62
about equal

Average prices — South vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MD / IL)
6%
6.25%
+0.3 pp in IL
Income Tax (top rate)
6.50%
4.95%
+1.5 pp in MD

Annapolis vs Chicago — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Annapolis or Chicago?
Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,490 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 18% below Annapolis, MD's $1,820, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Annapolis than in Chicago?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $64,000 a year in Annapolis versus $50,000 in Chicago.
Which has lower taxes, Annapolis or Chicago?
Annapolis is taxed under Maryland's rules (a top state income tax rate of 6.50% and a 6% state sales tax); Chicago under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).