Chicago vs Houston
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Chicago, IL and Houston, TX.
Chicago, IL
COL Index
107
Monthly Budget
$5,350
State Tax
5.0%
Population
2.7M
Houston, TX
COL Index
96
Monthly Budget
$4,800
State Tax
None
Population
2.3M
Chicago is 11% more expensive than Houston
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Chicago | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,823 | $1,551 | +$272 |
| Groceries | $686 | $629 | +$57 |
| Transport | $850 | $771 | +$79 |
| Healthcare | $420 | $389 | +$31 |
| Utilities | $321 | $288 | +$33 |
| Other | $1,267 | $1,162 | +$105 |
| Total | $5,350 | $4,800 | +$550 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Chicago (IL) | Houston (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 Houston (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Chicago Salary | Equivalent in Houston | Houston Salary | Equivalent in Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $44,860 | $50,000 | $55,729 |
| $75,000 | $67,290 | $75,000 | $83,594 |
| $100,000 | $89,720 | $100,000 | $111,458 |
| $150,000 | $134,579 | $150,000 | $167,188 |