Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or New Haven?

Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,470 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below New Haven, CT's $1,530, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $51,000 in New Haven.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or New Haven?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); New Haven under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax).

Chicago vs New Haven Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,470/mo est.

New Haven

Connecticut

$1,530/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 $1,530 in New Haven, CT. Overall, Chicago, IL is roughly 4% cheaper to live in day-to-day than New Haven, CT, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $53,771 in New Haven, CT — about 28% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Connecticut has a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

New Haven, CT

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$1,159

+2% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,275

+1% in New Haven, CT

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,473

+5% in New Haven, CT

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,636

+5% in New Haven, CT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$249,000

+21% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$53,771

+28% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$60,060

+10% in New Haven, CT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

31.9 yr

+3.8 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

45.5%

28.4%

+17.1 pp in Chicago, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

37.7%

+5.6 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

21.0 min

+12.5 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

536.3

+1% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

3,601.6

+3% in New Haven, CT

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

52.2°F

+0.5°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

47.1 in

+9.1 in in New Haven, CT

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.24/gal

$3.94/gal

+7% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs East Coast (PADD 1).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

19.9

24.3

+22% in New Haven, CT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$23.33

+18% in New Haven, CT

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in New Haven, CT

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in New Haven, CT

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in New Haven, CT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in New Haven, CT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / CT)

6.25%

6.35%

+0.1 pp in CT

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

6.99%

+2.0 pp in CT

Chicago vs New Haven — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or New Haven?: Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,470 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 4% below New Haven, CT's $1,530, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in New Haven?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $51,000 in New Haven.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or New Haven?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); New Haven under Connecticut's (a top state income tax rate of 6.99% and a 6.35% 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).