Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Houston

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

Bottom line

Chicago is approximately 16% more expensive than Houston. A single person needs about $3,707/mo in Chicago versus $3,185/mo in Houston.

Rent in Chicago vs Houston

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Houston · Studio

$1,226

Chicago is $232 (19%) higher than Houston

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Houston · 1 bedroom

$1,279

Chicago is $281 (22%) higher than Houston

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Houston · 2 bedroom

$1,529

Chicago is $232 (15%) higher than Houston

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Houston · 3 bedroom

$2,038

Chicago is $224 (11%) higher than Houston

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Houston

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Houston · Household income

$73,104

Chicago is $8,693 (12%) higher than Houston

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Houston · Individual earnings

$41,738

Chicago is $7,560 (18%) higher than Houston

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Houston · Per capita

$39,978

Chicago is $7,823 (20%) higher than Houston

Home values in Chicago vs Houston

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Houston · Average home value

$255,000

Chicago is $50,200 (20%) higher than Houston

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Houston · Annual property tax

$4,382

Chicago is $1,671 (38%) higher than Houston

Energy in Chicago vs Houston

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Houston · Monthly electricity

$167

Houston is $51 (44%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Houston · Monthly gas

$32

Chicago is $29 (91%) higher than Houston

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Houston · Annual total

$2,388

Houston is $264 (12%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Houston

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Houston · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Houston are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Houston · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Houston are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Houston · Uninsured rate

21.2%

Houston is 12.2% (136%) higher than Chicago

Taxes in Chicago vs Houston

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Houston · State income tax

0.0%

Chicago is 5.0% higher than Houston

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Houston · State sales tax

6.3%

Chicago and Houston are about the same

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Houston · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Chicago is 0.6% (8%) higher than Houston

Transportation in Chicago vs Houston

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Houston · Average commute

29.0 min

Chicago is 2.9 min (10%) higher than Houston

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Houston · Drive alone

72.4%

Houston is 16.2% (29%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Houston · Public transit

2.1%

Chicago is 10.9% (519%) higher than Houston

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Houston

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Houston · Single person

$3,185

Chicago is $522 (16%) higher than Houston

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Houston · Couple

$4,536

Chicago is $629 (14%) higher than Houston

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Houston · Family

$7,187

Chicago is $624 (9%) higher than Houston

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Houston.

Is Chicago or Houston more expensive?

Chicago is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,185/mo in Houston, Texas, a difference of about 16%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Houston?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,279/mo in Houston, Texas. Chicago is approximately $281 (22%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Houston?

Chicago has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Houston households earn approximately $73,104 per year.

More on Chicago and Houston

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

Chicago profile Houston 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.