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Austin vs Chicago

Austin runs about 26% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 879 USD a month.

The skyline of Austin, the capital city of Texas. With a population of 961,855, it's the 13th-most populous city in the U.S.
Austin
$3,356/month · United States
Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0
View of Chicago from Willis Tower
Chicago
$4,234/month · United States
Andrew Horne · CC BY 2.0
Austin monthly
$3,356
Index 53 (NYC = 100)
Chicago monthly
$4,234
Index 66 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+26%
Chicago relative to Austin
Rent gap
$785
Chicago costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

AustinChicago
  • Housing
    Housing: Austin $1,443, Chicago $2,228. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Food
    Food: Austin $755, Chicago $788. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Transport
    Transport: Austin $114, Chicago $154. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Austin $235, Chicago $221. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Austin $513, Chicago $525. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Austin $154, Chicago $170. Cheaper in Austin.
  • Other
    Other: Austin $142, Chicago $149. Cheaper in Austin.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricAustinChicago
Cost
Total monthly cost3,356 USD✓4,234 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)53✓66
Housing1,443 USD✓2,228 USD
Utilities235 USD221 USD✓
Food755 USD✓788 USD
Transport114 USD✓154 USD
Healthcare513 USD✓525 USD
Lifestyle154 USD✓170 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,575 USD✓6,228 USD
Effective tax + social rate21.1%✓25.3%
Left over each month3,219 USD✓1,993 USD
Average local net salary4,700 USD✓4,400 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,443 USD✓2,228 USD
3-bed rent, city centre2,623 USD✓4,244 USD
Buy price per m², centre4,200 USD✓4,500 USD
Quality of life
Safety62/100✓52/100
Healthcare78/10084/100✓
Air quality70/100✓62/100
Public transport32/10078/100✓
Walkability45/10080/100✓
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife82/10088/100✓
Family friendliness74/100✓66/100
Median broadband280 Mbps✓210 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature21°C10°C✓
Summer high35°C29°C✓
Winter low4°C✓-8°C
Sunshine hours per year2,650 h✓2,500 h
Annual rainfall870 mm✓990 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach accessNone nearby15 min✓
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/ChicagoAmerica/Chicago

Austin runs about 26% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 879 USD a month.

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Cost of living in AustinCost of living in ChicagoConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Austin vs MontrealAustin vs SeattleAustin vs Toronto
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Austin or Chicago cheaper?

Austin runs about 26% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 879 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Chicago compared with Austin?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,575 a month in Austin and $6,228 in Chicago, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Austin or Chicago?

Austin scores 62/100 on safety and 78/100 on healthcare; Chicago scores 52 and 84. Austin averages 21°C against 10°C in Chicago.