Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Richmond?

Richmond, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.

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

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 Richmond.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Richmond?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Richmond Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/mo est.

Richmond

Virginia

$1,390/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 $1,390 in Richmond, VA. Overall, Richmond, VA is roughly 7% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $62,671 in Richmond, VA — about 17% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Virginia has a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Richmond, VA

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$1,183

+0% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,195

+5% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,374

+2% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,447

+7% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$328,100

+4% in Richmond, VA

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$62,671

+17% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$51,460

+6% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

34.5 yr

+1.2 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

45.5%

43.5%

+2.0 pp in Chicago, IL

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

44.1%

+0.8 pp in Richmond, VA

Avg Commute

33.5 min

22.1 min

+11.4 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

349

+35% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

3,240.2

+7% 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

58.9°F

+6.2°F in Richmond, VA

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

43.6 in

+5.6 in in Richmond, VA

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

17.6

+26% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$23.66

+54% in Richmond, VA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.00

+7% in Chicago, IL

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.75

+5% in Richmond, VA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.21

+39% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.45

+5% in Chicago, IL

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$1.90

+9% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / VA)

6.25%

5.3%

+1.0 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

5.75%

+0.8 pp in VA

Chicago vs Richmond — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Richmond?: Richmond, VA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 7% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Richmond?: 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 Richmond.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Richmond?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Richmond under Virginia's (a top state income tax rate of 5.75% and a 5.3% 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).