Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Columbus?

Columbus, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,250 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Chicago, IL's $1,440, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $42,000 in Columbus.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Columbus?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Columbus under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Columbus Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,440/mo est.

Columbus

Ohio

$1,250/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,440 in Chicago, IL versus $1,250 in Columbus, OH. Overall, Columbus, OH is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $65,327 in Columbus, OH — about 13% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Ohio has a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Columbus, OH

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$1,014

+15% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,059

+16% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,276

+9% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,369

+12% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$234,500

+26% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$65,327

+13% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$51,340

+6% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

33.0 yr

+2.7 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

45.5%

44.3%

+1.2 pp in Chicago, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

38.2%

+5.1 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

21.8 min

+11.7 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

484.8

+10% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

3,092.7

+11% 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

52.7°F

about equal

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

40.1 in

+2.1 in in Columbus, OH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.82/gal

$4.56/gal

+5% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs Ohio.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

$2.00

+20% in Chicago, IL

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

18.9

18.8

+0% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$12.10

$13.75

+14% in Columbus, OH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.14

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.79

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.97

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.15

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.63

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / OH)

6.25%

5.75%

+0.5 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

2.75%

+2.2 pp in IL

Chicago vs Columbus — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Columbus?: Columbus, OH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,250 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Chicago, IL's $1,440, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Columbus?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $42,000 in Columbus.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Columbus?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Columbus under Ohio's (a top state income tax rate of 2.75% and a 5.75% 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).