Chicago vs Dallas

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Illinois salaries · Texas salaries

Living in Chicago vs Dallas

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Chicago has a housing index of 112 while Dallas sits at 104 (national average = 100). The median home in Chicago costs $310,000 compared to $310,000 in Dallas, a difference of $0. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Chicago versus $1,500 in Dallas.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Chicago scores 104 while Dallas scores 97. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Chicago (101) are higher than Dallas (100). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Chicago is $62,097 compared to $54,747 in Dallas. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Dallas.

Relocating: Chicago vs Dallas

If you are considering a move between Chicago (index: 107) and Dallas (index: 103), the 4% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Dallas is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Chicago can afford $1,449/month, while the median household in Dallas can afford $1,277/month. With median homes at $310,000 in Chicago versus $310,000 in Dallas, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,700/month in Chicago and $1,500/month in Dallas, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Chicago (107) vs Dallas (103)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Chicago at 107 is 7% above the US average, while Dallas at 103 is 3% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

Chicago and Dallas land within 4 points of each other on the composite index (107 vs 103), so the overall cost picture is similar. Transportation shows the widest single-category margin at 116 versus 106, making it the area where residents will feel the most day-to-day price difference between Chicago and Dallas. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Chicago at 112 and Dallas at 104 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $310,000 and $310,000 respectively. With nearly identical cost profiles, the deciding factor between Chicago and Dallas is more likely income potential, career opportunity, or lifestyle preference than raw cost of living.

For renters: With median rents of $1,700/month in Chicago and $1,500/month in Dallas, the annual rent difference is approximately $2,400. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $12,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $0 difference in median home prices between Chicago and Dallas translates to roughly $0 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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