Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Las Vegas?

Las Vegas, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Chicago, IL's $1,440, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $47,000 in Las Vegas.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Las Vegas?

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

Chicago vs Las Vegas Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,440/mo est.

Las Vegas

Nevada

$1,320/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 $1,320 in Las Vegas, NV. Overall, Las Vegas, NV is roughly 8% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $70,723 in Las Vegas, NV — about 6% higher in Chicago, IL. 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

Las Vegas, NV

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$992

+16% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,181

+6% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,401

+0% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,740

+12% in Las Vegas, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$395,300

+25% in Las Vegas, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$70,723

+6% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$46,670

+15% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

38.5 yr

+2.8 yr in Las Vegas, NV

Homeownership

45.5%

55.7%

+10.2 pp in Las Vegas, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

27.3%

+16.0 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

25.8 min

+7.7 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

433.1

+20% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

2,641.7

+24% 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

68.4°F

+15.7°F in Las Vegas, NV

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

5.4 in

+32.6 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.82/gal

$5.57/gal

+15% in Las Vegas, NV

Area: Chicago vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

$2.00

+20% in Chicago, IL

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

18.9

14.2

+25% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$12.10

$10.04

+17% in Chicago, IL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.14

$4.37

+6% in Las Vegas, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.79

$2.10

+17% in Las Vegas, NV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.25

+38% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.97

$7.23

+4% in Las Vegas, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.15

$2.14

+1% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.63

$0.74

+18% in Las Vegas, 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 Las Vegas — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Las Vegas?: Las Vegas, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,320 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 8% below Chicago, IL's $1,440, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Las Vegas?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $47,000 in Las Vegas.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Las Vegas?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Las Vegas 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).