Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Queens

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Queens, New York.

Bottom line

Queens is approximately 25% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $4,616/mo in Queens versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Chicago vs Queens

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Queens · Studio

$2,406

Queens is $948 (65%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Queens · 1 bedroom

$2,511

Queens is $951 (61%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Queens · 2 bedroom

$2,780

Queens is $1,019 (58%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Queens · 3 bedroom

$3,465

Queens is $1,203 (53%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Queens

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Queens · Household income

$84,961

Queens is $3,164 (4%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Queens · Individual earnings

$47,085

Chicago is $2,213 (5%) higher than Queens

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Queens · Per capita

$41,160

Chicago is $6,641 (16%) higher than Queens

Home values in Chicago vs Queens

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Queens · Average home value

$699,200

Queens is $394,000 (129%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Queens · Annual property tax

$6,130

Queens is $77 (1%) higher than Chicago

Energy in Chicago vs Queens

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Queens · Monthly electricity

$140

Queens is $24 (21%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Queens · Monthly gas

$68

Queens is $7 (11%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Queens · Annual total

$2,496

Queens is $372 (18%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Queens

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Queens · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Queens are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Queens · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Queens are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Queens · Uninsured rate

8.5%

Chicago is 0.5% (6%) higher than Queens

Taxes in Chicago vs Queens

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Queens · State income tax

10.9%

Queens is 6.0% (120%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Queens · State sales tax

4.0%

Chicago is 2.3% (56%) higher than Queens

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Queens · Combined sales tax

8.5%

Chicago is 0.3% (4%) higher than Queens

Transportation in Chicago vs Queens

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Queens · Average commute

43.1 min

Queens is 11.2 min (35%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Queens · Drive alone

32.1%

Chicago is 24.1% (75%) higher than Queens

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Queens · Public transit

42.4%

Queens is 29.4% (226%) higher than Chicago

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Queens

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Queens · Single person

$4,616

Queens is $909 (25%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Queens · Couple

$6,266

Queens is $1,101 (21%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Queens · Family

$9,136

Queens is $1,325 (17%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Queens.

Is Chicago or Queens more expensive?

Queens is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $4,616/mo in Queens, New York, a difference of about 25%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Queens?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $2,511/mo in Queens, New York. Queens is approximately $951 (61%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Queens?

Queens has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Queens households earn approximately $84,961 per year.

More on Chicago and Queens

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

Chicago profile Queens 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.