Midland wins overall by ~15% (COL index)
Cost of living: Chicago vs Midland (2026)
A $69,500 salary in Chicago buys roughly what $60,407 does in Midland (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
−$13,057/yr
Favoring Midland for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $1,088/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~14 months and still keep ~$131/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 | Chicago Illinois | Midland Texas | Who wins | Your impact at $70K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500 | $950Wins | Midland wins −$550/mo | $6,600/yr saves in Midland |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,900 | $1,200Wins | Midland wins −$700/mo | $8,400/yr saves in Midland |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,600 | $1,600Wins | Midland wins −$1,000/mo | $12,000/yr saves in Midland |
| Median home price | $360K | $290KWins | Midland wins −$70K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 102 | 96Better | Midland wins -6 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $15 | $13Wins | Midland wins −$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60 | $52Wins | Midland wins −$8/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $105 | $35Wins | Midland wins −$70/mo | $840/yr saves in Midland |
| Gas price/gal | $3.40 | $3.05Better | Midland wins −$0.35 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $165Better | $168 | Chicago wins +$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $165Better | $178 | Chicago wins +$13/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $67K | $72KBetter | Midland wins +$5K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.9% | 0.0%Wins | Midland wins -4.9 pp | $3,406/yr saves in Midland |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 10.3% | 8.3%Wins | Midland wins -2.0 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00 | $14.00Wins | Midland wins −$2.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $45 | $35Wins | Midland wins −$10/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00 | $5.50Wins | Midland wins −$1.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 107 | 93Wins | Midland wins -14 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 78Wins | 18 | Chicago wins -60 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
Midland 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 Midland.
High-yield savings
Park ~$8,400/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
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.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chicago cheaper than Midland?
No. Midland is 15% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (93 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Chicago vs Midland?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Chicago is $1,900/month and in Midland is $1,200/month. Chicago is more expensive by 58%.
How much do I need to earn in Midland to match a $75,000 salary in Chicago?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $65,187/year in Midland to match a $75,000 salary in Chicago. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Chicago or Midland?
Midland has the lower state income tax rate at 0% vs 4.9%. Midland 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 Chicago to Midland?
It depends on your priorities. Midland 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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