Chicago is about 6% more expensive than Austin overall — $100,000 in Austin is worth about $105,638 in Chicago.
Austin vs Chicago: the numbers
| Metric | Austin | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (US=100) | 98 | 104 | +6% |
| Median rent | $1,655 | $1,380 | -17% |
| Median home value | $512,700 | $315,200 | -39% |
| Median household income | $91,461 | $75,134 | -18% |
Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.
What your salary is worth
A $100,000 salary in Austin has the same buying power as about $105,638 in Chicago. Going the other way, $100,000 in Chicago is like $94,663 in Austin.
Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Austin and Chicago.