Austin, TX vs. Chicago, IL: Cost of Living
Side-by-side comparison of Austin and Chicago, built from Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 estimates.
The numbers
| Measure | Austin, TX | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 979,539 | 2,711,226 | +176.8% |
| Median household income | $93,658 | $77,902 | -16.8% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $1,729 | $1,440 | -16.7% |
| Median home value | $555,300 | $334,100 | -39.8% |
Difference is Chicago, IL relative to Austin, TX.
Purchasing power
Using state-level price parities (BEA RPP 2024: Texas 97.1, Illinois 100.0, U.S. = 100), a $100,000 salary in Austin, TX buys about as much as $102,989 in Chicago, IL.
State-level price index; city prices within a state vary. See methodology.
Housing affordability
| Measure | Austin, TX | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Salary needed for median rent (30% rule) | $69,160 | $57,600 |
| Rent burden at local median income | 22.2% | 22.2% |
| Est. affordable home price at median income | $341,658 | $284,181 |
Home price assumes 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI, 1.5%/yr taxes+insurance. Not financial advice.
Full city profiles
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.