Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Dallas?

Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,440 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Dallas, TX's $1,470, mainly because of natural gas costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $51,000 in Dallas.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Dallas?

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

Chicago vs Dallas Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,440/mo est.

Dallas

Texas

$1,470/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 $1,470 in Dallas, TX. Overall, Chicago, IL is roughly 2% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Dallas, TX, driven mainly by natural gas costs.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $67,760 in Dallas, TX — about 10% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Texas has no state income tax and a 6.25% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Dallas, TX

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$1,259

+6% in Dallas, TX

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,280

+2% in Dallas, TX

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,500

+7% in Dallas, TX

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,559

+0% in Dallas, TX

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$295,300

+6% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$67,760

+10% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$51,440

+6% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

33.4 yr

+2.3 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

45.5%

42.4%

+3.1 pp in Chicago, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

37.4%

+5.9 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

26.0 min

+7.5 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

661.7

+23% in Dallas, TX

Property Crime

3,489.9

3,411.8

+2% 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

67.2°F

+14.5°F in Dallas, TX

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

37.6 in

+0.4 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.82/gal

$3.96/gal

+18% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs Texas.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

about equal

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

18.9

16.4

+13% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$12.10

$24.61

+103% in Dallas, TX

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.14

$4.16

+1% in Dallas, TX

Bread (lb)

$1.79

$1.73

+3% in Chicago, IL

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.97

$6.56

+6% in Chicago, IL

Chicken (lb)

$2.15

$1.90

+12% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.63

$0.61

+3% in Chicago, IL

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / TX)

6.25%

about equal

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

None

+5.0 pp in IL

Chicago vs Dallas — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Dallas?: Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,440 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 2% below Dallas, TX's $1,470, mainly because of natural gas costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Dallas?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $51,000 in Dallas.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Dallas?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Dallas under Texas's (no state income tax 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).