City comparison
Chicago vs Phoenix Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Chicago (113.6) and Phoenix (113.5).
Chicago Index
113.6
Phoenix Index
113.5
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Phoenix Rent
$2,525
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Phoenix Home price
$459,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Chicago to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Phoenix.
Equivalent salary in Phoenix
$90,920
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Chicago and Phoenix.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Chicago | Phoenix | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 128 | 136 | +8.0 (+6.3%) |
| Groceries | 106 | 101 | -5.0 (-4.7%) |
| Transportation | 112 | 103 | -9.0 (-8.0%) |
| Healthcare | 104 | 98 | -6.0 (-5.8%) |
| Utilities | 101 | 108 | +7.0 (+6.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 105 | 101 | -4.0 (-3.8%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,130 / $5,160
Chicago / Phoenix
Couple
$8,520 / $8,570
Chicago / Phoenix
Family
$12,000 / $12,070
Chicago / Phoenix
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Chicago city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Chicago.
View Phoenix city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Phoenix.
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.