Houston vs Chicago
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Houston, TX and Chicago, IL.
Houston, TX
COL Index
96
Monthly Budget
$4,800
State Tax
None
Population
2.3M
Chicago, IL
COL Index
107
Monthly Budget
$5,350
State Tax
5.0%
Population
2.7M
Houston is 11% less expensive than Chicago
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Houston | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,551 | $1,823 | -$272 |
| Groceries | $629 | $686 | -$57 |
| Transport | $771 | $850 | -$79 |
| Healthcare | $389 | $420 | -$31 |
| Utilities | $288 | $321 | -$33 |
| Other | $1,162 | $1,267 | -$105 |
| Total | $4,800 | $5,350 | -$550 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Houston (TX) | Chicago (IL) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $0 | $4,950 | -$4,950 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $20,820 | $25,770 | -$4,950 |
| Take-Home Pay | $79,180 | $74,230 | +$4,950 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Houston salary is worth in Chicago (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Houston Salary | Equivalent in Chicago | Chicago Salary | Equivalent in Houston |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $55,729 | $50,000 | $44,860 |
| $75,000 | $83,594 | $75,000 | $67,290 |
| $100,000 | $111,458 | $100,000 | $89,720 |
| $150,000 | $167,188 | $150,000 | $134,579 |