Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Meridian?

Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,470 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $62,000 in Meridian.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Meridian?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Meridian Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,470/mo est.

Meridian

Idaho

$1,690/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 $1,690 in Meridian, ID. Overall, Chicago, IL is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Meridian, ID, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $98,686 in Meridian, ID — about 24% higher in Meridian, ID. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Idaho has a top state income tax rate of 5.30% and a 6% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Meridian, ID

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$1,523

+28% in Meridian, ID

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,540

+22% in Meridian, ID

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,489

+6% in Meridian, ID

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,893

+22% in Meridian, ID

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$485,000

+54% in Meridian, ID

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$98,686

+31% in Meridian, ID

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$49,100

+10% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

37.4 yr

+1.7 yr in Meridian, ID

Homeownership

45.5%

76.1%

+30.6 pp in Meridian, ID

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

44.4%

+1.1 pp in Meridian, ID

Avg Commute

33.5 min

22.3 min

+11.2 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

150.3

+72% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

583.5

+83% 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

52.5°F

+0.2°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

11.7 in

+26.2 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.24/gal

$4.27/gal

+1% in Meridian, ID

Area: Chicago vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

14.4

+28% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$11.33

+43% in Chicago, IL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Meridian, ID

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Meridian, ID

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Meridian, ID

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Meridian, ID

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / ID)

6.25%

+0.3 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

5.30%

+0.3 pp in ID

Chicago vs Meridian — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Meridian?: Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,470 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Meridian, ID's $1,690, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Meridian?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $62,000 in Meridian.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Meridian?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Meridian under Idaho's (a top state income tax rate of 5.30% 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).