City comparison
Austin vs Chicago Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Austin (116.9) and Chicago (113.6).
Austin Index
116.9
Chicago Index
113.6
Austin Rent
$2,675
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Austin Home price
$484,000
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Austin to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Chicago.
Equivalent salary in Chicago
$91,346
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Austin and Chicago.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Austin | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 146 | 128 | -18.0 (-12.3%) |
| Groceries | 103 | 106 | +3.0 (+2.9%) |
| Transportation | 102 | 112 | +10.0 (+9.8%) |
| Healthcare | 99 | 104 | +5.0 (+5.1%) |
| Utilities | 98 | 101 | +3.0 (+3.1%) |
| Miscellaneous | 104 | 105 | +1.0 (+1.0%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,310 / $5,130
Austin / Chicago
Couple
$8,810 / $8,520
Austin / Chicago
Family
$12,430 / $12,000
Austin / Chicago
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
View Chicago city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Chicago.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.