Chicago vs Fort Worth

Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Chicago, IL and Fort Worth, TX.

Chicago, IL

COL Index

107

Monthly Budget

$5,350

State Tax

5.0%

Population

2.7M

Fort Worth, TX

COL Index

98

Monthly Budget

$4,900

State Tax

None

Population

0.9M

Chicago is 9% more expensive than Fort Worth

Monthly Cost Breakdown

Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.

CategoryChicagoFort WorthDifference
Housing$1,823$1,601+$222
Groceries$686$640+$46
Transport$850$786+$64
Healthcare$420$394+$26
Utilities$321$294+$27
Other$1,267$1,181+$86
Total$5,350$4,900+$450

Tax Comparison on $100K Salary

Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.

ComponentChicago (IL)Fort Worth (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 Fort Worth (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.

Chicago SalaryEquivalent in Fort WorthFort Worth SalaryEquivalent in Chicago
$50,000$45,794$50,000$54,592
$75,000$68,692$75,000$81,888
$100,000$91,589$100,000$109,184
$150,000$137,383$150,000$163,776

Full Relocation Analysis

Tax, housing, savings, 10-year projection

Relocation Calculator

Chicago Details

Full cost breakdown for Chicago

Chicago COL

Fort Worth Details

Full cost breakdown for Fort Worth

Fort Worth COL