Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Phoenix

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Phoenix, Arizona.

Bottom line

Chicago is approximately 0% more expensive than Phoenix. A single person needs about $3,707/mo in Chicago versus $3,694/mo in Phoenix.

Rent in Chicago vs Phoenix

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Phoenix · Studio

$1,530

Phoenix is $72 (5%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Phoenix · 1 bedroom

$1,679

Phoenix is $119 (8%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Phoenix · 2 bedroom

$1,950

Phoenix is $189 (11%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Phoenix · 3 bedroom

$2,624

Phoenix is $362 (16%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Phoenix

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Phoenix · Household income

$85,518

Phoenix is $3,721 (5%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Phoenix · Individual earnings

$46,640

Chicago is $2,658 (6%) higher than Phoenix

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Phoenix · Per capita

$44,210

Chicago is $3,591 (8%) higher than Phoenix

Home values in Chicago vs Phoenix

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Phoenix · Average home value

$414,700

Phoenix is $109,500 (36%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Phoenix · Annual property tax

$1,965

Chicago is $4,088 (208%) higher than Phoenix

Energy in Chicago vs Phoenix

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Phoenix · Monthly electricity

$150

Phoenix is $34 (29%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Phoenix · Monthly gas

$39

Chicago is $22 (56%) higher than Phoenix

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Phoenix · Annual total

$2,268

Phoenix is $144 (7%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Phoenix

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Phoenix · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Phoenix are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Phoenix · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Phoenix are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Phoenix · Uninsured rate

10.7%

Phoenix is 1.7% (19%) higher than Chicago

Taxes in Chicago vs Phoenix

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Phoenix · State income tax

2.5%

Chicago is 2.5% (98%) higher than Phoenix

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Phoenix · State sales tax

5.6%

Chicago is 0.7% (12%) higher than Phoenix

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Phoenix · Combined sales tax

8.4%

Chicago is 0.5% (5%) higher than Phoenix

Transportation in Chicago vs Phoenix

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Phoenix · Average commute

26.1 min

Chicago is 5.8 min (22%) higher than Phoenix

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Phoenix · Drive alone

66.6%

Phoenix is 10.4% (19%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Phoenix · Public transit

1.3%

Chicago is 11.7% (900%) higher than Phoenix

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Phoenix

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Phoenix · Single person

$3,694

Chicago is $13 (0%) higher than Phoenix

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Phoenix · Couple

$5,274

Phoenix is $109 (2%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Phoenix · Family

$8,098

Phoenix is $287 (4%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Phoenix.

Is Chicago or Phoenix more expensive?

Chicago is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,694/mo in Phoenix, Arizona, a difference of about 0%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Phoenix?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,679/mo in Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix is approximately $119 (8%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Phoenix?

Phoenix has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Phoenix households earn approximately $85,518 per year.

More on Chicago and Phoenix

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

Chicago profile Phoenix 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.