Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Concord?

Concord, NH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Concord?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Concord under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no state sales tax).

Chicago vs Concord Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,470/mo est.

Concord

New Hampshire

$1,410/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,470 in Chicago, IL versus $1,410 in Concord, NH. Overall, Concord, NH is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $83,701 in Concord, NH — about 10% higher in Concord, NH. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; New Hampshire has no state income tax and no state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Concord, NH

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$876

+26% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,134

+10% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,475

+5% in Concord, NH

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,769

+14% in Concord, NH

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$323,700

+3% in Concord, NH

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$83,701

+11% in Concord, NH

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

—

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

40.7 yr

+5.0 yr in Concord, NH

Homeownership

45.5%

57.4%

+11.9 pp in Concord, NH

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

40.1%

+3.2 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

23.2 min

+10.3 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

180.7

+67% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

1,251.5

+64% 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

46.4°F

+6.3°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

40.6 in

+2.6 in in Concord, NH

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.24/gal

$3.94/gal

+7% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

27.0

+36% in Concord, NH

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$21.67

+10% in Concord, NH

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Concord, NH

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Concord, NH

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Concord, NH

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Concord, NH

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / NH)

6.25%

None

+6.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

None

+5.0 pp in IL

Chicago vs Concord — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Concord?: Concord, NH is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,410 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Concord?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $45,000 in Concord.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Concord?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Concord under New Hampshire's (no state income tax and no 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).