Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Dallas

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Dallas, Texas.

Bottom line

Chicago is approximately 5% more expensive than Dallas. A single person needs about $3,707/mo in Chicago versus $3,534/mo in Dallas.

Rent in Chicago vs Dallas

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Dallas · Studio

$1,531

Dallas is $73 (5%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Dallas · 1 bedroom

$1,606

Dallas is $46 (3%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Dallas · 2 bedroom

$1,884

Dallas is $123 (7%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Dallas · 3 bedroom

$2,361

Dallas is $99 (4%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Dallas

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Dallas · Household income

$74,149

Chicago is $7,648 (10%) higher than Dallas

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Dallas · Individual earnings

$43,051

Chicago is $6,247 (15%) higher than Dallas

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Dallas · Per capita

$41,272

Chicago is $6,529 (16%) higher than Dallas

Home values in Chicago vs Dallas

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Dallas · Average home value

$277,900

Chicago is $27,300 (10%) higher than Dallas

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Dallas · Annual property tax

$4,668

Chicago is $1,385 (30%) higher than Dallas

Energy in Chicago vs Dallas

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Dallas · Monthly electricity

$167

Dallas is $51 (44%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Dallas · Monthly gas

$32

Chicago is $29 (91%) higher than Dallas

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Dallas · Annual total

$2,388

Dallas is $264 (12%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Dallas

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Dallas · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Dallas are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Dallas · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Dallas are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Dallas · Uninsured rate

21.6%

Dallas is 12.6% (140%) higher than Chicago

Taxes in Chicago vs Dallas

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Dallas · State income tax

0.0%

Chicago is 5.0% higher than Dallas

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Dallas · State sales tax

6.3%

Chicago and Dallas are about the same

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Dallas · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Chicago is 0.6% (8%) higher than Dallas

Transportation in Chicago vs Dallas

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Dallas · Average commute

27.2 min

Chicago is 4.7 min (17%) higher than Dallas

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Dallas · Drive alone

70.4%

Dallas is 14.2% (25%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Dallas · Public transit

1.6%

Chicago is 11.4% (713%) higher than Dallas

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Dallas

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Dallas · Single person

$3,534

Chicago is $173 (5%) higher than Dallas

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Dallas · Couple

$4,909

Chicago is $256 (5%) higher than Dallas

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Dallas · Family

$7,528

Chicago is $283 (4%) higher than Dallas

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Dallas.

Is Chicago or Dallas more expensive?

Chicago is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,534/mo in Dallas, Texas, a difference of about 5%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Dallas?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,606/mo in Dallas, Texas. Dallas is approximately $46 (3%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Dallas?

Chicago has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Dallas households earn approximately $74,149 per year.

More on Chicago and Dallas

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Chicago profile Dallas profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.