Chicago vs Austin
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Chicago, IL and Austin, TX.
Chicago, IL
COL Index
107
Monthly Budget
$5,350
State Tax
5.0%
Population
2.7M
Austin, TX
COL Index
112
Monthly Budget
$5,600
State Tax
None
Population
1.0M
Chicago is 5% less expensive than Austin
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Chicago | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,823 | $1,947 | -$124 |
| Groceries | $686 | $712 | -$26 |
| Transport | $850 | $886 | -$36 |
| Healthcare | $420 | $434 | -$14 |
| Utilities | $321 | $336 | -$15 |
| Other | $1,267 | $1,315 | -$48 |
| Total | $5,350 | $5,600 | -$250 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Chicago (IL) | Austin (TX) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $4,950 | $0 | +$4,950 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $25,770 | $20,820 | +$4,950 |
| Take-Home Pay | $74,230 | $79,180 | -$4,950 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Chicago salary is worth in Austin (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Chicago Salary | Equivalent in Austin | Austin Salary | Equivalent in Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $52,336 | $50,000 | $47,768 |
| $75,000 | $78,505 | $75,000 | $71,652 |
| $100,000 | $104,673 | $100,000 | $95,536 |
| $150,000 | $157,009 | $150,000 | $143,304 |