Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Pontiac

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Pontiac, Michigan.

Bottom line

Chicago is approximately 10% more expensive than Pontiac. A single person needs about $3,707/mo in Chicago versus $3,384/mo in Pontiac.

Rent in Chicago vs Pontiac

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Pontiac · Studio

$991

Chicago is $467 (47%) higher than Pontiac

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Pontiac · 1 bedroom

$1,090

Chicago is $470 (43%) higher than Pontiac

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Pontiac · 2 bedroom

$1,378

Chicago is $383 (28%) higher than Pontiac

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Pontiac · 3 bedroom

$1,688

Chicago is $574 (34%) higher than Pontiac

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Pontiac

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Pontiac · Household income

$95,296

Pontiac is $13,499 (17%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Pontiac · Individual earnings

$54,878

Pontiac is $5,580 (11%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Pontiac · Per capita

$55,114

Pontiac is $7,313 (15%) higher than Chicago

Home values in Chicago vs Pontiac

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Pontiac · Average home value

$320,400

Pontiac is $15,200 (5%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Pontiac · Annual property tax

$4,241

Chicago is $1,812 (43%) higher than Pontiac

Energy in Chicago vs Pontiac

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Pontiac · Monthly electricity

$128

Pontiac is $12 (10%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Pontiac · Monthly gas

$63

Pontiac is $2 (3%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Pontiac · Annual total

$2,292

Pontiac is $168 (8%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Pontiac

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Pontiac · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Pontiac are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Pontiac · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Pontiac are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Pontiac · Uninsured rate

3.9%

Chicago is 5.1% (131%) higher than Pontiac

Taxes in Chicago vs Pontiac

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Pontiac · State income tax

4.3%

Chicago is 0.7% (16%) higher than Pontiac

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Pontiac · State sales tax

6.0%

Chicago is 0.3% (4%) higher than Pontiac

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Pontiac · Combined sales tax

6.0%

Chicago is 2.8% (47%) higher than Pontiac

Transportation in Chicago vs Pontiac

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Pontiac · Average commute

26.0 min

Chicago is 5.9 min (23%) higher than Pontiac

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Pontiac · Drive alone

73.4%

Pontiac is 17.2% (31%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Pontiac · Public transit

0.3%

Chicago is 12.7% (4233%) higher than Pontiac

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Pontiac

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Pontiac · Single person

$3,384

Chicago is $323 (10%) higher than Pontiac

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Pontiac · Couple

$5,059

Chicago is $106 (2%) higher than Pontiac

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Pontiac · Family

$7,502

Chicago is $309 (4%) higher than Pontiac

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Pontiac.

Is Chicago or Pontiac more expensive?

Chicago is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,384/mo in Pontiac, Michigan, a difference of about 10%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Pontiac?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,090/mo in Pontiac, Michigan. Chicago is approximately $470 (43%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Pontiac?

Pontiac has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Pontiac households earn approximately $95,296 per year.

More on Chicago and Pontiac

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

Chicago profile Pontiac 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.