Cost of living in Chicago, IL Livability score 63 · cost-of-living index 102.5 (US = 100)
How Chicago compares Where Chicago falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).
Cost-of-living index (US=100) 85 118 Cost-of-living index (US=100): 102 — range 85 to 118 across all metros 102 Median home price $149k $1610k Median home price: $354k — range $149k to $1610k across all metros $354k Price per sqft (more house = lower) $88 $1074 Price per sqft (more house = lower): $208 — range $88 to $1074 across all metros $208 Combined sales tax 0.0% 11.5% Combined sales tax: 8.9% — range 0.0% to 11.5% across all metros 8.9% Property tax rate 0.28% 2.76% Property tax rate: 2.11% — range 0.28% to 2.76% across all metros 2.11% Violent crime (per 100k) 110 1,000 Violent crime (per 100k): 430 — range 110 to 1,000 across all metros 430 Electricity (¢/kWh) 12.3 46.6 Electricity (¢/kWh): 20.5 — range 12.3 to 46.6 across all metros 20.5 Avg summer high (°F) 65° 104° Avg summer high (°F): 85° — range 65° to 104° across all metros 85° Avg winter low (°F) -2° 72° Avg winter low (°F): 15° — range -2° to 72° across all metros 15° Map of Chicago Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.
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Cost of living Metric Value US rank Cost-of-living index (US=100) 102.5 #159 of 200 Grocery index (US=100) 104.3 #169 of 200 Big Mac price (est.) $5.83 #155 of 200 Median household income $85,087 #40 of 200 Median wage (all occupations) $46,819 #28 of 200
Economy Metric Value US rank Unemployment rate 6.19% #166 of 200 Population growth (5-yr) +0.2% #168 of 200
Housing — what your money buys Metric Value US rank Median home price $353,998 #111 of 200 Home price ÷ income (affordability) 4.2× #65 of 200 1-yr home appreciation +4.4% #27 of 200 Price per square foot $208 #126 of 200 Typical home size (implied) 1,700 sqft Median rent (monthly) $2,266 #176 of 200 Homes for sale (inventory) 21,664 Median days on market 8 #29 of 200
Taxes Metric Value US rank Total tax burden (est. % of income) 12.9% #164 of 200 Combined sales tax 8.86% #169 of 200 State income tax (top rate) 4.95% Capital gains tax 4.95% #112 of 200 High earners No special surtax Effective property tax rate 2.11% #187 of 200 Median property tax paid $6,090 #188 of 200
Healthcare & childcare Metric Value US rank Healthcare (annual, single adult) $6,800 #93 of 200 Childcare (annual, infant, center) $14,000 #138 of 200
Vehicles & commute Metric Value US rank Annual registration $150 #125 of 200 Vehicle property tax (annual) None #1 of 200 Emissions testing Required Emissions detail Required in major metro counties DMV & license offices 29 Avg commute to work 31 min #192 of 200
Utilities & fuel Metric Value US rank Electricity 20.5¢/kWh #138 of 200 Avg monthly electric bill $184 #138 of 200 Gasoline $3.60/gal #159 of 200
Insurance Metric Value US rank Home insurance (annual) $1,900 #106 of 200 Auto insurance (annual) $1,600 #51 of 200
Disaster risk & supplemental insurance Metric Value US rank Main natural hazards Notable hazards: tornadoes, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed. Flood insurance (annual, NFIP) $700 #61 of 200 Earthquake insurance (annual) $300 #143 of 200
Climate & air quality Metric Value US rank Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner) 56 #181 of 200 Cooling degree-days (AC load) 900 #66 of 200 Heating degree-days (heat load) 6,200 #178 of 200 Avg summer high 85°F #59 of 200 Avg winter low 15°F #182 of 200 Plant hardiness zone 6a Frost window 04-30 → 10-15
Safety Metric Value US rank Violent crime (per 100k) 430 #111 of 200 Property crime (per 100k) 1,700 #47 of 200
Local amenities & recreation Metric Value US rank Grocery stores 114 #84 of 200 Parks 237 Hiking areas 58 Golf courses 49 Shooting ranges 40 Lakes 36
Permits Metric Value US rank Building permit difficulty (1–5) 4 #147 of 200 Permit detail Difficult; zoning + review
US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.
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Estimates for guidance only — not financial or legal advice. Live/official data:
cost-of-living & grocery (BEA RPP); home price, rent, inventory, days-on-market (Zillow);
income & property tax (US Census ACS); electricity (US EIA); plant-hardiness (USDA);
crime (FBI UCR); local grocery, park, hiking, golf, shooting-range, lake & DMV
counts (Google Maps listings) via our own scraper.
Taxes (Tax Foundation) and insurance, emissions, permits, climate, wages and fuel use
sourced state/metro figures.