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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or is it cheaper to live in Houston?
- Chicago is 9.1% more expensive than Houston.

Which city has more affordable housing, Chicago or Houston?
- Chicago housing costs are 32.4% more expensive than Houston housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Houston or is Health Care more affordable in Chicago.
- Health related expenses are 7.5% less in Chicago.
 Houston, TXChicago, ILUnited States
 Overall96.9105.7100
 Food & Groceries98.197.2100
 Health95.188.0100
 Housing75.499.8100
 Median Home Cost$247,900$284,100$338,100
 Utilities9793100
 Transportation119.0138.5100
 Miscellaneous105.9139.8100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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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

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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

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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

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Reviews for Chicago    270 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

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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

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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

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