Cost of Living: Chicago vs Dallas (2026)

Chicago vs Dallas cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Dallas is about 0% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $99,513 in Dallas.

Dallas is about 0% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $99,513 in Dallas.

Chicago vs Dallas: the numbers

MetricChicagoDallasDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)104103-0%
Median rent$1,380$1,403+2%
Median home value$315,200$295,300-6%
Median household income$75,134$67,760-10%

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 Chicago has the same buying power as about $99,513 in Dallas. Going the other way, $100,000 in Dallas is like $100,490 in Chicago.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Chicago and Dallas.

Compare any salary: Chicago vs Dallas

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 104 vs 103 — a 0% difference. Your money goes further in Dallas.

About $99,513 — that's what you'd need in Dallas to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Chicago.