Home / Select Cities  /  2024 Comparing Chicago, IL vs. Houston, TX

2024 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Chicago, IL vs Houston, TX

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Houston or is it cheaper to live in Chicago?
- Houston is 8.3% less expensive than Chicago.

Which city has more affordable housing, Houston or Chicago?
- Houston housing costs are 24.4% less expensive than Chicago housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Chicago or is Health Care more affordable in Houston.
- Health related expenses are 8.1% more in Houston.
 Chicago, ILHouston, TXUnited States
 Overall105.796.9100
 Food & Groceries97.298.1100
 Health88.095.1100
 Housing99.875.4100
 Median Home Cost$284,100$247,900$338,100
 Utilities9,280.0%9,650.0%10,000.0%
 Transportation138.5119.0100
 Miscellaneous139.8105.9100

100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

View More Data >

Reviews for Chicago    271 Reviews

I've lived in Chicago city and later moved to suburbs when family size increased. Absolutely love this city. This is the cleanest and most beautiful among the major  More

   |    Reply

Chicago is probably the best value in a major city that you can find and my personal favorite city. It will become increasingly important as climate change makes the  More

   |    Reply

I've live on north side and south side, UIC medical center. Don't move here go to the north side. No good amenities, if you get bored with one there is no other choices.  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Chicago

Reviews for Houston    371 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

I moved to Houston from the San Francisco Bay area in 1991 after college but I have always had family here. Houston is not what you think of when you think of Texas  More

   |    Reply

Over 2 years ago

There's definitely lots of jobs/economic opportunity. It's quite racially diverse if that's your thing. Houston has awful urban sprawl. Expect awful traffic. Hot as hell  More

   |    Reply

Over 2 years ago

There's definitely lots of jobs/economic opportunity. It's quite racially diverse if that's your thing. Houston has awful urban sprawl. Expect awful traffic. Hot as hell  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Houston

 Most Recent Searches On Compare Cities
COMPARE COST OF LIVING
Compare Chicago, Illinois Cost of Living vs Houston, Texas Cost of Living: Taxes, Childcare, Groceries, Health...
Compare Now


ZIPS IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
60629, 60618, 60632, 60639, 60623, 60647, 60617, 60625, 60608, 60634, 56 total
ZIPS IN HOUSTON, TEXAS
77449, 77084, 77429, 77379, 77036, 77433, 77095, 77072, 77077, 77088, 100 total

PREMIUM SUBSCRIPTION

Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.

Try Now