Cost of living · head to head
Houston, TX is 5% cheaper than Chicago, IL.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Chicago, ILoverall index
103.6
Houston, TXoverall index
98.6
Try your own salary
in Chicago, IL
To live the same in Houston, TX, you’d need about $95,174.
That’s about $4,826 less — Houston, TX is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 5%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Houston, TX runs 7% lower than in Chicago, IL (104.5 vs 112), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in Houston, TX
| $50,000 in Chicago, IL | $47,587 |
| $75,000 in Chicago, IL | $71,380 |
| $100,000 in Chicago, IL | $95,174 |
| $150,000 in Chicago, IL | $142,761 |
| $200,000 in Chicago, IL | $190,347 |
Each row shows the salary in Houston, TX that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Chicago, IL.
Chicago, IL · housing
112
Houston, TX · housing
104.5
Common questions
Is Houston, TX cheaper than Chicago, IL?
Yes — Houston, TX has an overall cost-of-living index of 98.6 versus 103.6 for Chicago, IL, making it about 5% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Houston, TX to match $100,000 in Chicago, IL?
About $95,174. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Chicago, IL costs roughly $95,174 in Houston, TX.
Is housing cheaper in Houston, TX than in Chicago, IL?
Housing in Houston, TX scores 104.5 versus 112 in Chicago, IL — about 7% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Chicago, IL and Houston, TX?
Overall, Houston, TX is about 5% cheaper than Chicago, IL (index 98.6 vs 103.6), with housing 7% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.