Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Rochester?

Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $44,000 in Rochester.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Rochester?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Rochester Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/mo est.

Rochester

Minnesota

$1,280/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 $1,280 in Rochester, MN. Overall, Rochester, MN is roughly 14% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $87,767 in Rochester, MN — about 14% higher in Rochester, MN. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Minnesota has a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Rochester, MN

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$1,080

+9% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,106

+12% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,243

+12% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,646

+6% in Rochester, MN

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$287,500

+9% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$87,767

+17% in Rochester, MN

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$60,620

+11% in Rochester, MN

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

36.4 yr

+0.7 yr in Rochester, MN

Homeownership

45.5%

65.4%

+19.9 pp in Rochester, MN

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

50.1%

+6.8 pp in Rochester, MN

Avg Commute

33.5 min

17.2 min

+16.3 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

158.9

+71% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

1,379

+60% 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

45.4°F

+7.3°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

33.0 in

+4.9 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.95/gal

+8% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs Minnesota.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

16.9

+29% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$14.95

+3% in Chicago, IL

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

about equal

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

about equal

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

about equal

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

about equal

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / MN)

6.25%

6.875%

+0.6 pp in MN

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

9.85%

+4.9 pp in MN

Chicago vs Rochester — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Rochester?: Rochester, MN is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,280 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 14% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Rochester?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $44,000 in Rochester.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Rochester?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Rochester under Minnesota's (a top state income tax rate of 9.85% and a 6.875% 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).