Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Fairfax

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Fairfax, Virginia.

Bottom line

Fairfax is approximately 30% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $4,808/mo in Fairfax versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Chicago vs Fairfax

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Fairfax · Studio

$2,012

Fairfax is $554 (38%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Fairfax · 1 bedroom

$2,056

Fairfax is $496 (32%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Fairfax · 2 bedroom

$2,314

Fairfax is $553 (31%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Fairfax · 3 bedroom

$2,893

Fairfax is $631 (28%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Fairfax

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Fairfax · Household income

$150,113

Fairfax is $68,316 (84%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Fairfax · Individual earnings

$71,572

Fairfax is $22,274 (45%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Fairfax · Per capita

$69,971

Fairfax is $22,170 (46%) higher than Chicago

Home values in Chicago vs Fairfax

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Fairfax · Average home value

$699,700

Fairfax is $394,500 (129%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Fairfax · Annual property tax

$7,072

Fairfax is $1,019 (17%) higher than Chicago

Energy in Chicago vs Fairfax

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Fairfax · Monthly electricity

$153

Fairfax is $37 (32%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Fairfax · Monthly gas

$49

Chicago is $12 (24%) higher than Fairfax

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Fairfax · Annual total

$2,424

Fairfax is $300 (14%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Fairfax

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Fairfax · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Fairfax are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Fairfax · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Fairfax are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Fairfax · Uninsured rate

7.4%

Chicago is 1.6% (22%) higher than Fairfax

Taxes in Chicago vs Fairfax

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Fairfax · State income tax

5.8%

Fairfax is 0.8% (16%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Fairfax · State sales tax

5.3%

Chicago is 1.0% (18%) higher than Fairfax

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Fairfax · Combined sales tax

5.8%

Chicago is 3.1% (53%) higher than Fairfax

Transportation in Chicago vs Fairfax

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Fairfax · Average commute

29.5 min

Chicago is 2.4 min (8%) higher than Fairfax

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Fairfax · Drive alone

57.9%

Fairfax is 1.7% (3%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Fairfax · Public transit

5.3%

Chicago is 7.7% (145%) higher than Fairfax

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Fairfax

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Fairfax · Single person

$4,808

Fairfax is $1,101 (30%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Fairfax · Couple

$7,470

Fairfax is $2,305 (45%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Fairfax · Family

$10,211

Fairfax is $2,400 (31%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Fairfax.

Is Chicago or Fairfax more expensive?

Fairfax is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $4,808/mo in Fairfax, Virginia, a difference of about 30%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Fairfax?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $2,056/mo in Fairfax, Virginia. Fairfax is approximately $496 (32%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Fairfax?

Fairfax has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Fairfax households earn approximately $150,113 per year.

More on Chicago and Fairfax

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

Chicago profile Fairfax 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.