Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Reno?

Reno, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $48,000 in Reno.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Reno?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Reno Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/mo est.

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/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 $1,350 in Reno, NV. Overall, Reno, NV is roughly 9% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $78,448 in Reno, NV — about 4% higher in Reno, NV. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Reno, NV

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$964

+19% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,206

+4% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,518

+8% in Reno, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,885

+21% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$498,600

+58% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$78,448

+4% in Reno, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$49,660

+9% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

37.3 yr

+1.6 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

45.5%

49.4%

+3.9 pp in Reno, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

35.7%

+7.6 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

20.6 min

+12.9 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

528.9

+2% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

2,489.3

+29% 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

53.8°F

+1.1°F in Reno, NV

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

7.4 in

+30.6 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$5.09/gal

+19% in Reno, NV

Area: Chicago vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

13.6

+43% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$12.09

+21% in Chicago, IL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Reno, NV

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Reno, NV

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Reno, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Reno, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / NV)

6.25%

6.85%

+0.6 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

None

+5.0 pp in IL

Chicago vs Reno — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Reno?: Reno, NV is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,350 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 9% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Reno?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $48,000 in Reno.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Reno?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Reno under Nevada's (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).