Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Chicago?

Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $50,000 in Chicago.

Which has lower taxes, Boise or Chicago?

Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).

Boise vs Chicago Cost of Living 2026

Boise

Idaho

$1,260/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 $1,260 in Boise, ID versus $1,490 in Chicago, IL. Overall, Boise, ID is roughly 15% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $81,308 in Boise, ID and $75,134 in Chicago, IL — about 8% higher in Boise, ID. Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Boise, ID

Chicago, IL

Rent

Studio

$1,021

$1,186

+16% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,133

$1,258

+11% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,342

$1,406

+5% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,749

$1,554

+11% in Boise, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$456,000

$315,200

+31% in Boise, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$81,308

$75,134

+8% in Boise, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,100

$54,720

+11% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

38.2 yr

35.7 yr

+2.5 yr in Boise, ID

Homeownership

63.0%

45.5%

+17.5 pp in Boise, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

46.6%

43.3%

+3.3 pp in Boise, ID

Avg Commute

19.1 min

33.5 min

+14.4 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

301

539.8

+79% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

1,135.1

3,489.9

+207% 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

52.5°F

52.7°F

+0.2°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

11.7 in

38.0 in

+26.2 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

about equal

Area: Rocky Mountain (PADD 4) vs Chicago.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.50

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

12.3

23.9

+93% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$10.82

$15.39

+42% in Chicago, IL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Boise, ID

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Boise, ID

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Boise, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Boise, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (ID / IL)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

5.30%

4.95%

+0.3 pp in ID

Boise vs Chicago — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boise or Chicago?: Boise, ID is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,260 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 15% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boise than in Chicago?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $45,000 a year in Boise versus $50,000 in Chicago.
Which has lower taxes, Boise or Chicago?: Boise is taxed under Idaho's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).