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2023 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 12.5% 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
 Overall95.5107.4100
 Food & Groceries98.197.2100
 Health95.188.0100
 Housing75.499.8100
 Median Home Cost$247,900$284,100$338,100
 Utilities96.592.8100
 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
The real Houston - 8/20/2022
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... Read More

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Not a great place - 7/19/2022
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... Read More

Not a great place - 7/19/2022
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... Read More

Reviews for Chicago    270 Reviews
My Favorite City in the Country - 8/14/2023
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... Read More

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Crime ridden Medical center. - 2/16/2023
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.... Read More

Good and Bad - 11/15/2022
A fun city to live in with great food! Housing isn't terrible compared to other big cities. The cyclists who think they own the streets and paths drive me crazy. People... Read More

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

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