Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Wichita?

Wichita, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.

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

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

Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Wichita?

Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Wichita under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax).

Chicago vs Wichita Cost of Living 2026

Chicago

Illinois

$1,490/mo est.

Wichita

Kansas

$940/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 $940 in Wichita, KS. Overall, Wichita, KS is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $63,072 in Wichita, KS — about 16% higher in Chicago, IL. Illinois has a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Kansas has a top state income tax rate of 5.58% and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Chicago, IL

Wichita, KS

Rent

Studio

$1,186

$726

+39% in Chicago, IL

1 Bedroom

$1,258

$761

+40% in Chicago, IL

2 Bedroom

$1,406

$976

+31% in Chicago, IL

3 Bedroom

$1,554

$1,199

+23% in Chicago, IL

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$315,200

$179,500

+43% in Chicago, IL

Income

Median Household Income

$75,134

$63,072

+16% in Chicago, IL

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$54,720

$47,630

+13% in Chicago, IL

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

about equal

Homeownership

45.5%

58.4%

+12.9 pp in Wichita, KS

Bachelor's+ (25+)

43.3%

30.9%

+12.4 pp in Chicago, IL

Avg Commute

33.5 min

18.9 min

+14.6 min in Chicago, IL

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

539.8

1,238.7

+129% in Wichita, KS

Property Crime

3,489.9

5,284.9

+51% in Wichita, KS

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

57.0°F

+4.3°F in Wichita, KS

Annual Precipitation

38.0 in

32.6 in

+5.3 in in Chicago, IL

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$4.29/gal

$3.94/gal

+8% in Chicago, IL

Area: Chicago vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.50

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

23.9

15.1

+37% in Chicago, IL

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$15.39

$25.12

+63% in Wichita, KS

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 / KS)

6.25%

6.5%

+0.3 pp in KS

Income Tax (top rate)

4.95%

5.58%

+0.6 pp in KS

Chicago vs Wichita — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Wichita?: Wichita, KS is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Chicago, IL's $1,490, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Chicago than in Wichita?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Chicago versus $30,000 in Wichita.
Which has lower taxes, Chicago or Wichita?: Chicago is taxed under Illinois's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.95% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Wichita under Kansas's (a top state income tax rate of 5.58% 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).