Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Chicago?

Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Chicago?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $50,000 in Chicago.

Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Chicago?

Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax); Chicago under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Bellevue vs Chicago Cost of Living 2026

Bellevue

Nebraska

$1,160/mo est.

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,160 in Bellevue, NE versus $1,490 in Chicago, IL. Overall, Bellevue, NE is roughly 22% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $87,343 in Bellevue, NE and $75,134 in Chicago, IL — about 14% higher in Bellevue, NE. Nebraska has a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Bellevue, NE

Chicago, IL

Rent

Studio

$1,106

$1,186

+7% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,008

$1,258

+25% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,190

$1,406

+18% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,660

$1,554

+6% in Bellevue, NE

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$230,800

$315,200

+37% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$87,343

$75,134

+14% in Bellevue, NE

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$54,720

+10% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.1 yr

35.7 yr

+0.4 yr in Bellevue, NE

Homeownership

65.5%

45.5%

+20.0 pp in Bellevue, NE

Bachelor's+ (25+)

33.4%

43.3%

+9.9 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

20.8 min

33.5 min

+12.7 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

100.8

539.8

+436% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

1,149.4

3,489.9

+204% 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

51.1°F

52.7°F

+1.6°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

30.6 in

38.0 in

+7.3 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.29/gal

+9% in Chicago, IL

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Chicago.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.50

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

23.9

+75% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.53

$15.39

+1% in Bellevue, NE

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NE / IL)

5.5%

6.25%

+0.8 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.55%

4.95%

+0.4 pp in IL

Bellevue vs Chicago — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Bellevue or Chicago?: Bellevue, NE is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,160 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 22% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Bellevue than in Chicago?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Bellevue versus $50,000 in Chicago.
Which has lower taxes, Bellevue or Chicago?: Bellevue is taxed under Nebraska's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.55% and a 5.5% 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).