Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Tacoma?

Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,490 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of electricity costs.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Tacoma?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/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 $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Chicago, IL is roughly 1% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by electricity costs.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 10% higher in Tacoma, WA. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$1,178

+1% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,332

+6% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,693

+20% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$2,094

+35% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$454,600

+44% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$83,857

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$72,610

+33% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

37.3 yr

+1.6 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

45.5%

56.5%

+11.0 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

33.5%

+9.8 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

29.0 min

+4.5 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

1,064.4

+97% in Tacoma, WA

Property Crime

3,489.9

5,695.2

+63% in Tacoma, WA

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

52.1°F

+0.6°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

43.0 in

+5.1 in in Tacoma, WA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$5.12/gal

+19% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Chicago vs Washington.

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

14.9

+37% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$20.41

+33% in Tacoma, WA

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / WA)

6.25%

6.5%

+0.3 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

None

+5.0 pp in IL

Chicago vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Tacoma?: Chicago, IL is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,490 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 1% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of electricity costs.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Tacoma?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).