Cost of living · head to head
Chicago, IL is 0% pricier than Dallas, TX.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Dallas, TXoverall index
103.1
Chicago, ILoverall index
103.6
Try your own salary
in Dallas, TX
To live the same in Chicago, IL, you’d need about $100,485.
That’s about $485 more — Chicago, IL is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 0%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Chicago, IL runs 5% lower than in Dallas, TX (112 vs 117.9), 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 Chicago, IL
| $50,000 in Dallas, TX | $50,242 |
| $75,000 in Dallas, TX | $75,364 |
| $100,000 in Dallas, TX | $100,485 |
| $150,000 in Dallas, TX | $150,727 |
| $200,000 in Dallas, TX | $200,970 |
Each row shows the salary in Chicago, IL that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Dallas, TX.
Dallas, TX · housing
117.9
Chicago, IL · housing
112
Common questions
Is Chicago, IL cheaper than Dallas, TX?
No — Chicago, IL has an overall cost-of-living index of 103.6 versus 103.1 for Dallas, TX, making it about 0% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Chicago, IL to match $100,000 in Dallas, TX?
About $100,485. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Dallas, TX costs roughly $100,485 in Chicago, IL.
Is housing cheaper in Chicago, IL than in Dallas, TX?
Housing in Chicago, IL scores 112 versus 117.9 in Dallas, TX — about 5% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Dallas, TX and Chicago, IL?
Overall, Chicago, IL is about 0% pricier than Dallas, TX (index 103.6 vs 103.1), with housing 5% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.