City comparison
Dallas vs Chicago Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Dallas (110.6) and Chicago (113.6).
Dallas Index
110.6
Chicago Index
113.6
Dallas Rent
$2,400
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Dallas Home price
$414,000
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Dallas to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Chicago.
Equivalent salary in Chicago
$90,387
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Dallas and Chicago.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Dallas | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 131 | 128 | -3.0 (-2.3%) |
| Groceries | 99 | 106 | +7.0 (+7.1%) |
| Transportation | 103 | 112 | +9.0 (+8.7%) |
| Healthcare | 98 | 104 | +6.0 (+6.1%) |
| Utilities | 97 | 101 | +4.0 (+4.1%) |
| Miscellaneous | 101 | 105 | +4.0 (+4.0%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$4,980 / $5,130
Dallas / Chicago
Couple
$8,270 / $8,520
Dallas / Chicago
Family
$11,650 / $12,000
Dallas / Chicago
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Dallas city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Dallas.
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.