Chicago vs. Houston: Salary & Cost of Living
Houston offers lower costs and no state income tax compared with Chicago. Here is what a $150,000 Chicago salary is worth in Houston once housing, goods, and taxes are accounted for.
Equivalent salary
A $150,000 salary in Chicago is worth about $126,116 in Houston to maintain the same standard of living.
| Category | Chicago | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 129 | 92 | -29% |
| Utilities | 111 | 97 | -13% |
| Transportation | 113 | 97 | -14% |
| Groceries | 108 | 98 | -9% |
| Healthcare | 107 | 98 | -8% |
| Childcare | 117 | 96 | -18% |
| Dining Out | 114 | 96 | -16% |
| Entertainment | 112 | 97 | -13% |
| Insurance | 109 | 98 | -10% |
| Consumer Goods | 108 | 98 | -9% |
State income tax: Chicago 4.95% vs. Houston 0%.
Median rent (2BR): $2,260 in Chicago vs. $1,610 in Houston. Median home price: $542,000 vs. $386,000.
Houston is about 16% cheaper than Chicago. Keeping your current salary there delivers a real purchasing-power gain of roughly $23,884 a year. Houston also has a state income tax about 5.0 points lower, adding to your take-home advantage.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Houston cheaper than Chicago?
- Yes. Houston is cheaper than Chicago overall, and Texas has no state income tax while Illinois levies a flat tax — so the take-home advantage of a Houston move adds to the cost-of-living difference.
- What salary do I need in Houston to match Chicago?
- You can preserve your Chicago standard of living on a lower nominal salary in Houston. Use the calculator above to model your exact equivalent number.
Open the full Cost of Living Calculator · Back to Tools · Work With Akeem