Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Mesa?

Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,440 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $52,000 in Mesa.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Mesa?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Mesa under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Mesa Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,440/mo est.

Mesa

Arizona

$1,460/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 $1,460 in Mesa, AZ. Overall, Chicago, IL is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Mesa, AZ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $78,779 in Mesa, AZ — about 5% higher in Mesa, AZ. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Mesa, AZ

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$1,209

+2% in Mesa, AZ

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,288

+2% in Mesa, AZ

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,458

+4% in Mesa, AZ

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,819

+17% in Mesa, AZ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$364,300

+16% in Mesa, AZ

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$78,779

+5% in Mesa, AZ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$51,380

+6% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

37.2 yr

+1.5 yr in Mesa, AZ

Homeownership

45.5%

64.4%

+18.9 pp in Mesa, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

31.5%

+11.8 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

25.0 min

+8.5 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

485.8

+10% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

1,487.8

+57% 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

75.1°F

+22.4°F in Mesa, AZ

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

8.0 in

+29.9 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.82/gal

$5.57/gal

+15% in Mesa, AZ

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 Valley Metro (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

18.9

15.6

+17% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$12.10

$19.69

+63% in Mesa, AZ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.14

$4.37

+6% in Mesa, AZ

Bread (lb)

$1.79

$2.10

+17% in Mesa, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.25

+38% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.97

$7.23

+4% in Mesa, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$2.15

$2.14

+1% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.63

$0.74

+18% in Mesa, AZ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / AZ)

6.25%

5.6%

+0.7 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

2.50%

+2.5 pp in IL

Chicago vs Mesa — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Mesa?: Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,440 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Mesa?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $52,000 in Mesa.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Mesa?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Mesa under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).