Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Davenport?

Davenport, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $31,000 in Davenport.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Davenport?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Davenport under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Davenport Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,470/mo est.

Davenport

Iowa

$960/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 $960 in Davenport, IA. Overall, Davenport, IA is roughly 35% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $64,497 in Davenport, IA — about 14% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Iowa has a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Davenport, IA

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$726

+39% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$777

+38% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$962

+32% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,117

+28% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$162,900

+48% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$64,497

+14% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$48,550

+11% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

37.8 yr

+2.1 yr in Davenport, IA

Homeownership

45.5%

63.0%

+17.5 pp in Davenport, IA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

30.0%

+13.3 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

18.7 min

+14.8 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

581.4

+8% in Davenport, IA

Property Crime

3,489.9

3,559.6

+2% in Davenport, IA

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

49.3°F

+3.4°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

36.0 in

+1.9 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.24/gal

$3.85/gal

+9% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

15.9

+20% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$22.16

+12% in Davenport, IA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / IA)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

3.80%

+1.2 pp in IL

Chicago vs Davenport — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Davenport?: Davenport, IA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $960 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 35% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Davenport?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $31,000 in Davenport.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Davenport?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Davenport under Iowa's (a top state income tax rate of 3.80% and a 6% 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).