Living Cost Compare
Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/mo est.

vs
Providence

Rhode Island

$1,310/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,490 in Chicago, IL versus $1,310 in Providence, RI. Overall, Providence, RI is roughly 12% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $66,772 in Providence, RI — about 11% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL
Providence, RI

Rent

Studio
$1,186
$1,116
+6% in Chicago, IL
1 Bedroom
$1,258
$1,030
+18% in Chicago, IL
2 Bedroom
$1,406
$1,323
+6% in Chicago, IL
3 Bedroom
$1,554
$1,627
+5% in Providence, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value
$315,200
$322,800
+2% in Providence, RI

Income

Median Household Income
$75,134
$66,772
+11% in Chicago, IL
Metro Median Wage (annual)
$54,720
$53,680
+2% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age
35.7 yr
32.9 yr
+2.8 yr in Chicago, IL
Homeownership
45.5%
41.2%
+4.3 pp in Chicago, IL
Bachelor's+ (25+)
43.3%
34.7%
+8.6 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
282.4
+48% in Chicago, IL
Property Crime
3,489.9
1,665.6
+52% 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
51.6°F
+1.1°F in Chicago, IL
Annual Precipitation
38.0 in
47.2 in
+9.2 in in Providence, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline
$4.29/gal
$3.86/gal
+10% 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)
23.9
29.5
+24% in Providence, RI
Natural Gas ($/MCF)
$15.39
$16.06
+4% in Providence, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)
$4.31
$4.31
about equal
Bread (lb)
$1.66
$1.92
+16% in Providence, RI
Eggs (doz)
$3.63
$2.19
+40% in Chicago, IL
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.77
$6.90
+2% in Providence, RI
Chicken (lb)
$2.10
$2.19
+4% in Providence, RI
Bananas (lb)
$0.62
$0.69
+12% in Providence, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / RI)
6.25%
7%
+0.8 pp in RI
Income Tax (top rate)
4.95%
5.99%
+1.0 pp in RI

Chicago vs Providence — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Providence?
Providence, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,310 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 12% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Providence?
To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $41,000 in Providence.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Providence?
Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Providence under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).