Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Tucson?

Tucson, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,060 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Chicago, IL's $1,440, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $36,000 in Tucson.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Tucson?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Tucson under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Tucson Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,440/mo est.

Tucson

Arizona

$1,060/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,440 in Chicago, IL versus $1,060 in Tucson, AZ. Overall, Tucson, AZ is roughly 26% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $54,546 in Tucson, AZ — about 27% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Tucson, AZ

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$795

+33% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$891

+29% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,146

+18% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,520

+2% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$242,200

+23% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$54,546

+27% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$47,760

+13% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

34.6 yr

+1.1 yr in Chicago, IL

Homeownership

45.5%

51.7%

+6.2 pp in Tucson, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

30.2%

+13.1 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

22.2 min

+11.3 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

645.8

+20% in Tucson, AZ

Property Crime

3,489.9

3,460

+1% 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

70.2°F

+17.5°F in Tucson, AZ

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

11.6 in

+26.3 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.82/gal

$5.57/gal

+15% in Tucson, AZ

Area: Chicago vs West Coast (PADD 5).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

Free

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

18.9

15.6

+17% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$12.10

$19.69

+63% in Tucson, AZ

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.14

$4.37

+6% in Tucson, AZ

Bread (lb)

$1.79

$2.10

+17% in Tucson, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.25

+38% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.97

$7.23

+4% in Tucson, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$2.15

$2.14

+1% in Chicago, IL

Bananas (lb)

$0.63

$0.74

+18% in Tucson, AZ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / AZ)

6.25%

5.6%

+0.7 pp in IL

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

2.50%

+2.5 pp in IL

Chicago vs Tucson — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Tucson?: Tucson, AZ is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,060 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 26% below Chicago, IL's $1,440, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Tucson?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $36,000 in Tucson.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Tucson?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Tucson under Arizona's (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).