Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Evansville?

Evansville, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Evansville.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Evansville?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Evansville under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Evansville Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/mo est.

Evansville

Indiana

$950/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,490 in Chicago, IL versus $950 in Evansville, IN. Overall, Evansville, IN is roughly 36% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $52,251 in Evansville, IN — about 30% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Indiana has a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Evansville, IN

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$741

+38% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$768

+39% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,022

+27% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,167

+25% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$129,100

+59% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$52,251

+30% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$46,540

+15% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

38.1 yr

+2.4 yr in Evansville, IN

Homeownership

45.5%

53.9%

+8.4 pp in Evansville, IN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

22.3%

+21.0 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

1,210.5

+124% in Evansville, IN

Property Crime

3,489.9

3,716.2

+6% in Evansville, IN

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

56.4°F

+3.7°F in Evansville, IN

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

45.3 in

+7.4 in in Evansville, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% 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)

23.9

18.1

+24% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$13.70

+11% in Chicago, IL

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 / IN)

6.25%

+0.8 pp in IN

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

2.95%

+2.0 pp in IL

Chicago vs Evansville — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Evansville?: Evansville, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $950 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Evansville?: 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 Evansville.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Evansville?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Evansville under Indiana's (a top state income tax rate of 2.95% and a 7% 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).