Cost of Living: Chicago vs Phoenix (2026)

Chicago vs Phoenix cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Phoenix is about 0% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $99,731 in Phoenix.

Phoenix is about 0% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $99,731 in Phoenix.

Chicago vs Phoenix: the numbers

MetricChicagoPhoenixDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)104103-0%
Median rent$1,380$1,458+6%
Median home value$315,200$381,900+21%
Median household income$75,134$77,041+3%

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 $99,731 in Phoenix. Going the other way, $100,000 in Phoenix is like $100,270 in Chicago.

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

Compare any salary: Chicago vs Phoenix

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 Phoenix.

About $99,731 — that's what you'd need in Phoenix to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Chicago.