City Comparison · 2026
Chicago vs Houston
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Chicago = $78k in Houston
Metric
Chicago
Houston
COL Index
1.38
✓1.08
1BR Monthly Rent
$2,000/mo
✓$1,400/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$2,600/mo
✓$1,780/mo
State Income Tax
IL
TX
$100k Take-Home
$73,786
✓$78,736
$100k Effective Rate
26.21%
✓21.26%
$100k Savings Potential
$49,786
✓$61,936
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Chicago IL | Houston TX |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. | $50,248 $4,187/mo · 16.25% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. | $78,736 $6,561/mo · 21.26% eff. |
| $150,000 | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. | $113,278 $9,440/mo · 24.48% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Houston cheaper to live in?
Chicago has a cost-of-living index of 1.38 while Houston is 1.08 (1.00 = US average). Houston is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Chicago is $2,000/month vs $1,400/month in Houston.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Houston?
$100k in Chicago = $78k in Houston. Cost of living in Houston is lower by 21.7%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Chicago or Houston?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,786 in IL (Chicago) and $78,736 in TX (Houston). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $49,786 in Chicago vs $61,936 in Houston.
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