Cost of living · head to head
Chicago, IL is 5% pricier than Houston, TX.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Houston, TXoverall index
98.6
Chicago, ILoverall index
103.6
Try your own salary
in Houston, TX
To live the same in Chicago, IL, you’d need about $105,071.
That’s about $5,071 more — Chicago, IL is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 5%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Chicago, IL runs 7% higher than in Houston, TX (112 vs 104.5), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in Chicago, IL
| $50,000 in Houston, TX | $52,535 |
| $75,000 in Houston, TX | $78,803 |
| $100,000 in Houston, TX | $105,071 |
| $150,000 in Houston, TX | $157,606 |
| $200,000 in Houston, TX | $210,142 |
Each row shows the salary in Chicago, IL that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Houston, TX.
Houston, TX · housing
104.5
Chicago, IL · housing
112
Common questions
Is Chicago, IL cheaper than Houston, TX?
No — Chicago, IL has an overall cost-of-living index of 103.6 versus 98.6 for Houston, TX, making it about 5% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Chicago, IL to match $100,000 in Houston, TX?
About $105,071. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Houston, TX costs roughly $105,071 in Chicago, IL.
Is housing cheaper in Chicago, IL than in Houston, TX?
Housing in Chicago, IL scores 112 versus 104.5 in Houston, TX — about 7% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Houston, TX and Chicago, IL?
Overall, Chicago, IL is about 5% pricier than Houston, TX (index 103.6 vs 98.6), with housing 7% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.