Chicago vs Dallas
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Chicago, IL and Dallas, TX.
Chicago, IL
COL Index
107
Monthly Budget
$5,350
State Tax
5.0%
Population
2.7M
Dallas, TX
COL Index
104
Monthly Budget
$5,200
State Tax
None
Population
1.3M
Chicago is 3% more expensive than Dallas
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Chicago | Dallas | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,823 | $1,749 | +$74 |
| Groceries | $686 | $671 | +$15 |
| Transport | $850 | $829 | +$21 |
| Healthcare | $420 | $411 | +$9 |
| Utilities | $321 | $312 | +$9 |
| Other | $1,267 | $1,238 | +$29 |
| Total | $5,350 | $5,200 | +$150 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Chicago (IL) | Dallas (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 Dallas (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Chicago Salary | Equivalent in Dallas | Dallas Salary | Equivalent in Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $48,598 | $50,000 | $51,442 |
| $75,000 | $72,897 | $75,000 | $77,163 |
| $100,000 | $97,196 | $100,000 | $102,885 |
| $150,000 | $145,794 | $150,000 | $154,327 |