Chicago wins overall by ~14% (COL index)
Cost of living: Austin vs Chicago (2026)
A $69,500 salary in Austin buys roughly what $60,955 does in Chicago (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$3,021/yr
Favoring Austin for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $252/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~60 months and still keep ~$30/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Austin Texas | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $70K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500Better | $1,500 | — | — |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,800Better | $1,900 | Austin wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in Austin |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,400Better | $2,600 | Austin wins +$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in Austin |
| Median home price | $480K | $360KWins | Chicago wins −$120K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98Better | 102 | Austin wins +4 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $14Better | $15 | Austin wins +$1/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60Better | $60 | — | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $50Wins | $105 | Austin wins +$55/mo | $660/yr saves in Austin |
| Gas price/gal | $3.10Better | $3.40 | Austin wins +$0.30 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $175 | $165Better | Chicago wins −$10/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $170 | $165Better | Chicago wins −$5/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $72KBetter | $67K | Austin wins −$5K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 0.0%Wins | 4.9% | Austin wins +4.9 pp | $3,406/yr saves in Austin |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 8.3%Wins | 10.3% | Austin wins +2.0 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $16.00 | Austin wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Better | $45 | Austin wins +$5/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00Better | $7.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 122 | 107Wins | Chicago wins -15 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 42 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +36 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$3,408/yr tax difference into cash back
Chicago fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Chicago.
High-yield savings
Grow your move fund while you shop for homes
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Chicago-to-Austin was one of the most-searched moves of the 2020s. Austin edges Chicago on state income tax (none vs 4.95%) and weather, but Chicago has rebuilt its affordability lead as Austin's 2021–2022 rent surge has gradually unwound. Chicago also has more established transit, which changes the car-ownership math significantly.
Frequently asked questions
Is Austin cheaper than Chicago?
No. Chicago is 14% cheaper than Austin based on overall cost of living indices (107 vs 122, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Austin vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Austin is $1,800/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Austin is cheaper by 5%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Austin?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $65,779/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Austin. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Austin or Chicago?
Austin has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 4.9%. Austin has no state income tax at all, which can save thousands of dollars per year depending on your income. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Austin to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago offers lower overall costs and tax advantages, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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