Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Warwick?

Warwick, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $43,000 in Warwick.

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Warwick?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Warwick Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,470/mo est.

Warwick

Rhode Island

$1,390/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,470 in Chicago, IL versus $1,390 in Warwick, RI. Overall, Warwick, RI is roughly 5% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $87,536 in Warwick, RI — about 14% higher in Warwick, RI. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Rhode Island has a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Warwick, RI

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$923

+22% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$1,085

+14% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$1,629

+16% in Warwick, RI

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,569

+1% in Warwick, RI

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$322,000

+2% in Warwick, RI

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$87,536

+17% in Warwick, RI

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$53,680

+2% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

44.6 yr

+8.9 yr in Warwick, RI

Homeownership

45.5%

73.4%

+27.9 pp in Warwick, RI

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

33.2%

+10.1 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

25.0 min

+8.5 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

79.5

+85% in Chicago, IL

Property Crime

3,489.9

1,149.5

+67% 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

51.6°F

+1.1°F in Chicago, IL

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

47.2 in

+9.2 in in Warwick, RI

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.24/gal

$3.94/gal

+7% 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)

19.9

29.2

+47% in Warwick, RI

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$19.71

$25.75

+31% in Warwick, RI

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$1.92

+16% in Warwick, RI

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Chicago, IL

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$6.90

+2% in Warwick, RI

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.19

+4% in Warwick, RI

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.69

+12% in Warwick, RI

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (IL / RI)

6.25%

+0.8 pp in RI

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

5.99%

+1.0 pp in RI

Chicago vs Warwick — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Warwick?: Warwick, RI is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,390 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 5% below Chicago, IL's $1,470, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Warwick?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $43,000 in Warwick.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Warwick?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Warwick under Rhode Island's (a top state income tax rate of 5.99% and a 7% 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).