City comparison
Chicago vs Austin Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Chicago (113.6) and Austin (116.9).
Chicago Index
113.6
Austin Index
116.9
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Austin Rent
$2,675
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Austin Home price
$484,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Chicago to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Austin.
Equivalent salary in Austin
$93,643
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Chicago and Austin.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Chicago | Austin | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 128 | 146 | +18.0 (+14.1%) |
| Groceries | 106 | 103 | -3.0 (-2.8%) |
| Transportation | 112 | 102 | -10.0 (-8.9%) |
| Healthcare | 104 | 99 | -5.0 (-4.8%) |
| Utilities | 101 | 98 | -3.0 (-3.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 105 | 104 | -1.0 (-1.0%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,130 / $5,310
Chicago / Austin
Couple
$8,520 / $8,810
Chicago / Austin
Family
$12,000 / $12,430
Chicago / Austin
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Chicago city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Chicago.
View Austin city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Austin.
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.