Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Chicago?

Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,490 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $50,000 in Chicago.

Which has lower taxes, Boston or Chicago?

Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Chicago under Illinois's (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax).

Boston vs Chicago Cost of Living 2026

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/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 $2,290 in Boston, MA versus $1,490 in Chicago, IL. Overall, Chicago, IL is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $94,755 in Boston, MA and $75,134 in Chicago, IL — about 21% higher in Boston, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Boston, MA

Chicago, IL

Rent

Studio

$1,890

$1,186

+37% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,978

$1,258

+36% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,155

$1,406

+35% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$2,234

$1,554

+30% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$710,400

$315,200

+56% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$94,755

$75,134

+21% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$54,720

+18% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.2 yr

35.7 yr

+2.5 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

35.4%

45.5%

+10.1 pp in Chicago, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

54.1%

43.3%

+10.8 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

30.2 min

33.5 min

+3.3 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

630.2

539.8

+14% in Boston, MA

Property Crime

2,030.8

3,489.9

+72% 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

51.5°F

52.7°F

+1.2°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

38.0 in

+5.8 in in Boston, MA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.95/gal

$4.29/gal

+9% in Chicago, IL

Area: Massachusetts vs Chicago.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

—

$2.50

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

28.8

23.9

+17% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.39

$15.39

+51% in Boston, MA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Boston, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Boston, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Boston, MA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / IL)

6.25%

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

4.95%

+4.0 pp in MA

Boston vs Chicago — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Chicago?: Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,490 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Chicago?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $50,000 in Chicago.
Which has lower taxes, Boston or Chicago?: Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% 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).