Living Cost Compare
Chicago

Illinois

$1,440/mo est.

vs
Indianapolis

Indiana

$1,140/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 $1,140 in Indianapolis, IN. Overall, Indianapolis, IN is roughly 21% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $62,995 in Indianapolis, IN — about 16% 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
Indianapolis, IN

Rent

Studio
$1,186
$933
+21% in Chicago, IL
1 Bedroom
$1,258
$963
+23% in Chicago, IL
2 Bedroom
$1,406
$1,132
+19% in Chicago, IL
3 Bedroom
$1,554
$1,304
+16% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$315,200
$207,000
+34% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income
$75,134
$62,995
+16% in Chicago, IL
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$54,720
$49,340
+10% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.7 yr
34.1 yr
+1.6 yr in Chicago, IL
Homeownership
45.5%
55.3%
+9.8 pp in Indianapolis, IN
Bachelor's+ (25+)
43.3%
34.2%
+9.1 pp in Chicago, IL
Avg Commute
33.5 min
24.3 min
+9.2 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime
539.8
936.6
+74% in Indianapolis, IN
Property Crime
3,489.9
3,351.7
+4% 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
53.2°F
+0.5°F in Indianapolis, IN
Annual Precipitation
38.0 in
42.4 in
+4.5 in in Indianapolis, IN

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.82/gal
$4.35/gal
+10% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)
$2.50
$1.75
+30% in Chicago, IL

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)
18.9
17.9
+5% in Chicago, IL
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$12.10
$12.49
+3% in Indianapolis, IN

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.14
$4.14
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.79
$1.79
about equal
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$3.63
about equal
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.97
$6.97
about equal
Chicken (lb)
$2.15
$2.15
about equal
Bananas (lb)
$0.63
$0.63
about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / IN)
6.25%
7%
+0.8 pp in IN
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
2.95%
+2.0 pp in IL

Chicago vs Indianapolis — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Indianapolis?
Indianapolis, IN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,140 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 21% below Chicago, IL's $1,440, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Indianapolis?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $39,000 in Indianapolis.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Indianapolis?
Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Indianapolis 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).