Little Rock wins overall by ~23% (COL index)
Cost of living: Little Rock vs Chicago (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Little Rock buys roughly what $78,293 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
+$12,428/yr
Favoring Little Rock for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $1,036/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~15 months and still keep ~$124/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 | Little Rock Arkansas | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $900Wins | $1,500 | Little wins +$600/mo | $7,200/yr saves in Little |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,100Wins | $1,900 | Little wins +$800/mo | $9,600/yr saves in Little |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,450Wins | $2,600 | Little wins +$1,150/mo | $13,800/yr saves in Little |
| Median home price | $215KWins | $360K | Little wins +$145K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 93Better | 102 | Little wins +9 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Wins | $15 | Little wins +$4/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $48Wins | $60 | Little wins +$12/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $40Wins | $105 | Little wins +$65/mo | $780/yr saves in Little |
| Gas price/gal | $2.98Wins | $3.40 | Little wins +$0.42 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $152Better | $165 | Little wins +$13/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $168 | $165Better | Chicago wins −$3/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $65 | Little wins +$7/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $50K | $67KWins | Chicago wins +$17K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.4%Better | 4.9% | Little wins +0.5 pp | $300/yr saves in Little |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 9.3%Better | 10.3% | Little wins +1.0 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Wins | $16.00 | Little wins +$3.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $32Wins | $45 | Little wins +$13/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Wins | $7.00 | Little wins +$2.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 82Wins | 107 | Little wins +25 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 26 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +52 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Little Rock 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 Little Rock.
High-yield savings
Park ~$9,600/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
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
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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 Little Rock cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Little Rock is 23% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (82 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Little Rock vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Little Rock is $1,100/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Little Rock is cheaper by 42%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Little Rock?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $97,866/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Little Rock. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Little Rock or Chicago?
Little Rock has the lower state income tax rate at 4.4% vs 4.9%. The difference is 0.5 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Little Rock to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Little Rock offers lower overall costs, 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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Salary equivalent: Little Rock ↔ Chicago
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