City comparison
Phoenix vs Chicago Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Phoenix (113.5) and Chicago (113.6).
Phoenix Index
113.5
Chicago Index
113.6
Phoenix Rent
$2,525
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Phoenix Home price
$459,000
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Phoenix to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Chicago.
Equivalent salary in Chicago
$91,080
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Phoenix and Chicago.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Phoenix | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 136 | 128 | -8.0 (-5.9%) |
| Groceries | 101 | 106 | +5.0 (+5.0%) |
| Transportation | 103 | 112 | +9.0 (+8.7%) |
| Healthcare | 98 | 104 | +6.0 (+6.1%) |
| Utilities | 108 | 101 | -7.0 (-6.5%) |
| Miscellaneous | 101 | 105 | +4.0 (+4.0%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,160 / $5,130
Phoenix / Chicago
Couple
$8,570 / $8,520
Phoenix / Chicago
Family
$12,070 / $12,000
Phoenix / Chicago
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Phoenix city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Phoenix.
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.