Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Oklahoma City?

Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Chicago, IL's $1,440, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $35,000 in Oklahoma City.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Oklahoma City?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Oklahoma City under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Oklahoma City Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,440/mo est.

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

$1,030/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 $1,030 in Oklahoma City, OK. Overall, Oklahoma City, OK is roughly 28% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $66,702 in Oklahoma City, OK — about 11% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Oklahoma has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Oklahoma City, OK

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$795

+33% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$882

+30% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,085

+23% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,356

+13% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$215,100

+32% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$66,702

+11% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$47,230

+14% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

35.0 yr

+0.7 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

45.5%

59.1%

+13.6 pp in Oklahoma City, OK

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

34.0%

+9.3 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

22.2 min

+11.3 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

685.6

+27% in Oklahoma City, OK

Property Crime

3,489.9

2,928.9

+16% 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

61.5°F

+8.8°F in Oklahoma City, OK

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

36.5 in

+1.4 in in Chicago, IL

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 EMBARK (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

18.9

13.6

+28% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$12.10

$15.95

+32% in Oklahoma City, OK

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.14

$4.16

+1% in Oklahoma City, OK

Bread (lb)

$1.79

$1.73

+3% in Chicago, IL

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.97

$6.56

+6% in Chicago, IL

Chicken (lb)

$2.15

$1.90

+12% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.63

$0.61

+3% in Chicago, IL

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / OK)

6.25%

4.5%

+1.8 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

4.50%

+0.5 pp in IL

Chicago vs Oklahoma City — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Oklahoma City?: Oklahoma City, OK is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,030 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 28% below Chicago, IL's $1,440, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Oklahoma City?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $35,000 in Oklahoma City.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Oklahoma City?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Oklahoma City under Oklahoma's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 4.5% 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).