Cost of living in Chicago, Illinois
Cook County, IL
Part of the Chicago Metro Area
Population 5,185,812 · Last updated May 21, 2026
Cost breakdown
Single person, by category, per month.
Rent in Chicago
Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.
Source: HUD FMR FY2025
Income and earnings in Chicago
Annual earnings figures from the Census ACS.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year.
Home values in Chicago
Average values reported by homeowners.
Source: ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
Energy costs in Chicago
Estimated monthly electricity and gas costs.
Source: EIA
Healthcare in Chicago
Insurance premiums and coverage rates.
Source: ACS + national avg. Marketplace benchmark premiums are second-lowest Silver plan estimates and do not reflect employer plans, subsidies, or out-of-pocket costs. This is not healthcare advice.
Taxes in Chicago
State and local tax rates for Illinois.
Tax rates change. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice on your specific situation. This is not tax advice.
Transportation in Chicago
Commute patterns and estimated costs.
Source: ACS
Monthly cost estimates for Chicago
What it costs to live in Chicago each month.
- Rent $1,560
- Energy $177
- Water $50
- Groceries $345
- Transport $250
- Healthcare $480
- Federal tax $642
- State tax $203
- Rent $1,761
- Energy $212
- Water $60
- Groceries $572
- Transport $350
- Healthcare $864
- Federal tax $1,009
- State tax $337
- Rent $2,262
- Energy $266
- Water $70
- Groceries $867
- Transport $450
- Healthcare $1,350
- Childcare $1,200
- Federal tax $1,009
- State tax $337
Frequently asked questions about Chicago
Common questions about cost of living, rent and salary.
What is the average rent in Chicago?
In Chicago, Illinois, a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,560 per month, a two-bedroom averages $1,761 per month, a three-bedroom averages $2,262 per month, according to HUD Fair Market Rent data.
What is the average salary in Chicago?
In Chicago, Illinois, the average household income is $81,797 per year and individual earnings for full-time workers average $49,298 per year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
What is the cost of living in Chicago?
The estimated cost of living in Chicago, Illinois is approximately $3,707 per month for a single person, $5,165 for a couple, $7,811 for a family. This includes rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, and taxes.
What is the sales tax rate in Chicago?
The combined sales tax rate in Chicago, Illinois is 8.82%, which includes the Illinois state rate of 6.25% plus an average local rate of 2.57%.
Is Chicago an affordable place to live?
Based on the data, a single person in Chicago, Illinois would need approximately $3,707 per month to cover rent, utilities, food, transport, healthcare, and taxes. The average household income is $81,797 per year ($6,816 per month). Chicago has a moderate cost of living relative to local earnings.
How much does healthcare cost in Chicago?
The ACA marketplace benchmark premium in Chicago, Illinois is approximately $480 per month for an individual. Approximately 9.0% of residents are uninsured. Actual costs vary based on employer coverage, plan type, and individual circumstances.
What are house prices in Chicago?
The average home value in Chicago, Illinois is $305,200, with average annual property taxes of $6,053, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
How does Chicago compare to other areas?
You can compare Chicago, Illinois with any other US county using our comparison tool at /compare. Chicago is in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area.
Other counties in Illinois
Browse the full list of counties in Illinois, ranked by cost of living.
See all counties in IllinoisCompare Chicago with another area
Put two counties side by side to see how rent, taxes and everyday costs stack up.
About this data
All figures on this page come from official U.S. government sources, listed below.
- HUD FMR FY2025
- ACS 2019-2023 5-Year
- EIA
- ACS + national avg
- ACS
- USDA + BEA RPP