Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Henderson?

Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,490 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Henderson, NV's $1,580, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $57,000 in Henderson.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Henderson?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Henderson under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Henderson Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/mo est.

Henderson

Nevada

$1,580/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 $1,580 in Henderson, NV. Overall, Chicago, IL is roughly 6% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Henderson, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $88,654 in Henderson, NV — about 15% higher in Henderson, NV. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Henderson, NV

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$1,442

+22% in Henderson, NV

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,437

+14% in Henderson, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,694

+20% in Henderson, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,982

+28% in Henderson, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$465,000

+48% in Henderson, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$88,654

+18% in Henderson, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$46,670

+15% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

42.5 yr

+6.8 yr in Henderson, NV

Homeownership

45.5%

65.6%

+20.1 pp in Henderson, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

36.8%

+6.5 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

24.7 min

+8.8 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

271.8

+50% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

1,725.7

+51% 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

69.4°F

+16.7°F in Henderson, NV

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

4.2 in

+33.8 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$5.09/gal

+19% in Henderson, NV

Area: Chicago vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

13.6

+43% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$12.09

+21% in Chicago, IL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Henderson, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Henderson, NV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Henderson, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Henderson, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / NV)

6.25%

6.85%

+0.6 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

None

+5.0 pp in IL

Chicago vs Henderson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Henderson?: Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,490 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 6% below Henderson, NV's $1,580, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Henderson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $57,000 in Henderson.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Henderson?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Henderson under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).