Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Fort Worth

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Fort Worth, Texas.

Bottom line

Chicago is approximately 8% more expensive than Fort Worth. A single person needs about $3,707/mo in Chicago versus $3,423/mo in Fort Worth.

Rent in Chicago vs Fort Worth

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Fort Worth · Studio

$1,371

Chicago is $87 (6%) higher than Fort Worth

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Fort Worth · 1 bedroom

$1,461

Chicago is $99 (7%) higher than Fort Worth

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Fort Worth · 2 bedroom

$1,705

Chicago is $56 (3%) higher than Fort Worth

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Fort Worth · 3 bedroom

$2,256

Chicago is $6 (0%) higher than Fort Worth

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Fort Worth

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Fort Worth · Household income

$81,905

Fort Worth is $108 (0%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Fort Worth · Individual earnings

$45,152

Chicago is $4,146 (9%) higher than Fort Worth

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Fort Worth · Per capita

$41,364

Chicago is $6,437 (16%) higher than Fort Worth

Home values in Chicago vs Fort Worth

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Fort Worth · Average home value

$294,100

Chicago is $11,100 (4%) higher than Fort Worth

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Fort Worth · Annual property tax

$5,211

Chicago is $842 (16%) higher than Fort Worth

Energy in Chicago vs Fort Worth

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Fort Worth · Monthly electricity

$167

Fort Worth is $51 (44%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Fort Worth · Monthly gas

$32

Chicago is $29 (91%) higher than Fort Worth

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Fort Worth · Annual total

$2,388

Fort Worth is $264 (12%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Fort Worth

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Fort Worth · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Fort Worth are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Fort Worth · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Fort Worth are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Fort Worth · Uninsured rate

16.6%

Fort Worth is 7.6% (84%) higher than Chicago

Taxes in Chicago vs Fort Worth

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Fort Worth · State income tax

0.0%

Chicago is 5.0% higher than Fort Worth

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Fort Worth · State sales tax

6.3%

Chicago and Fort Worth are about the same

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Fort Worth · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Chicago is 0.6% (8%) higher than Fort Worth

Transportation in Chicago vs Fort Worth

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Fort Worth · Average commute

26.7 min

Chicago is 5.2 min (19%) higher than Fort Worth

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Fort Worth · Drive alone

73.8%

Fort Worth is 17.6% (31%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Fort Worth · Public transit

0.4%

Chicago is 12.6% (3150%) higher than Fort Worth

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Fort Worth

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Fort Worth · Single person

$3,423

Chicago is $284 (8%) higher than Fort Worth

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Fort Worth · Couple

$4,857

Chicago is $308 (6%) higher than Fort Worth

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Fort Worth · Family

$7,550

Chicago is $261 (3%) higher than Fort Worth

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Fort Worth.

Is Chicago or Fort Worth more expensive?

Chicago is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,423/mo in Fort Worth, Texas, a difference of about 8%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Fort Worth?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,461/mo in Fort Worth, Texas. Chicago is approximately $99 (7%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Fort Worth?

Fort Worth has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Fort Worth households earn approximately $81,905 per year.

More on Chicago and Fort Worth

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

Chicago profile Fort Worth 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.