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Cost of Living Data profile

Cost of Living in Chicago: Rent, Housing & Income

  • Official data · Census ACS 2024 · BEA 2024 · EIA July–September 2026
Updated  7 sources

Cost of living vs. U.S. average (2024)

3.6% above

Cost of living in Chicago is 3.6% above the U.S. average, based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis 2024 Regional Price Parities for the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area (index 103.6; U.S. = 100). Median rent in Chicago is $1,486 a month.

Cost of living in Chicago by category

Overall prices

103.6U.S. = 100

Regional price parity, all items

+3.6% vs. U.S.

Goods
107.3 +7.3%
Housing (rents)
112.0 +12.0%
Utilities
83.6 −16.4%
Other services
100.5 +0.5%

BEA 2024 · Chicago metro area Details: Overall prices

Housing

$1,486/mo

Median gross rent

About the same as U.S.

1-bedroom rent
$1,399 +8% vs. U.S.
2-bedroom rent
$1,526 About the same as U.S.
3-bedroom rent
$1,661 About the same as U.S.
Median home value
$341,200 −5% vs. U.S.
Owner costs, mortgage
$2,377 +17% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 Details: Housing

Utilities

$132/mo

Average electric bill

−16% vs. U.S.

Electricity price
19.2¢/kWh +5% vs. U.S.
Natural gas, 12-mo avg.
$15.31/Mcf −21% vs. U.S.
Utilities price index
83.6

EIA July 2026 · Illinois statewide Details: Utilities

Transportation

33.5min

Mean travel time to work

+23% vs. U.S.

Commute mode: drove alone
43.5%
Work from home
17.6%
Gasoline (Chicago area)
$4.60/gal +6% vs. U.S.

Census ACS 2024 · EIA September 2026 Details: Transportation

Food at home

$1,388/mo

Moderate-cost plan, family of 4

Thrifty plan, family of 4
$1,024/mo
Liberal plan, family of 4
$1,679/mo
Moderate plan, single woman
$403/mo
Moderate plan, single man
$478/mo

USDA August 2026 · U.S. average Details: Food at home

Child care

$278/wk

Center care, infant

+60% vs. U.S.

Center care, toddler
$220/wk +43% vs. U.S.
Center care, preschool
$189/wk +31% vs. U.S.
Home-based care, infant
$208/wk +45% vs. U.S.

DOL NDCP 2022 prices · Cook County Details: Child care

Income

$80,613/yr

Median household income

About the same as U.S.

Median rent as share of income
22%
Home value to income
4.2×

Census ACS 2024 Details: Income

Housing costs in Chicago

Median gross rent in Chicago is $1,486 a month, about the same as the U.S. median of $1,487. The median falls in the $1,250–$1,499 range, which holds 15.3% of renter households paying cash rent. Another 49.1% pay $1,500 or more.

The median owner-occupied home is valued at $341,200, and 5.8% of homes are valued at $1,000,000 or more.

Housing costs: Chicago vs. Illinois vs. U.S.

Median monthly rent

Median monthly rent Chicago: $1,486; Illinois: $1,322; U.S.: $1,487 Chicago $1,486 Illinois $1,322 U.S. $1,487

Monthly owner costs

Monthly owner costs Chicago: $2,377; Illinois: $1,994; U.S.: $2,035 Chicago $2,377 Illinois $1,994 U.S. $2,035

Median home value

Median home value Chicago: $341,200; Illinois: $280,700; U.S.: $360,600 Chicago $341,200 Illinois $280,700 U.S. $360,600
Show the data table
MeasureChicagoIllinoisU.S.
Median monthly rent$1,486$1,322$1,487
Monthly owner costs$2,377$1,994$2,035
Median home value$341,200$280,700$360,600

Rent is median gross rent; owner costs are for homes with a mortgage. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

What renters pay in Chicago

What renters pay in Chicago Share of renter households paying cash rent in Chicago by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $500, holds 7.5%; the top range, $3,500 or more, holds 4.7%. Median $1,486. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $500: 7.5% (U.S.: 6.1%) $500–$749: 3.6% (U.S.: 6.8%) $750–$999: 9.2% (U.S.: 11.5%) $1,000–$1,249: 15.3% (U.S.: 13.5%) $1,250–$1,499: 15.3% (U.S.: 12.9%) $1,500–$1,999: 21.4% (U.S.: 22.2%) $2,000–$2,499: 13% (U.S.: 13.2%) $2,500–$2,999: 6.5% (U.S.: 6.5%) $3,000–$3,499: 3.5% (U.S.: 3.2%) $3,500 or more: 4.7% (U.S.: 4.2%) $500–750 $1–1.25K $1.5–2K $2.5–3K $3.5K+ Median $1,486 (Chicago) 21.4%
Show the data table
RangeChicagoU.S.
Less than $5007.5%6.1%
$500–$7493.6%6.8%
$750–$9999.2%11.5%
$1,000–$1,24915.3%13.5%
$1,250–$1,49915.3%12.9%
$1,500–$1,99921.4%22.2%
$2,000–$2,49913%13.2%
$2,500–$2,9996.5%6.5%
$3,000–$3,4993.5%3.2%
$3,500 or more4.7%4.2%

Share of renter households paying cash rent. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25063. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Home values in Chicago

Home values in Chicago Share of owner-occupied homes in Chicago by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $100,000, holds 7%; the top range, $1,500,000 or more, holds 2.6%. Median $341,200. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 10% 20% 30% Less than $100,000: 7% (U.S.: 10.2%) $100,000–$149,999: 4.7% (U.S.: 5.7%) $150,000–$199,999: 7.3% (U.S.: 7.5%) $200,000–$249,999: 10.8% (U.S.: 8.4%) $250,000–$299,999: 11.3% (U.S.: 8.5%) $300,000–$399,999: 21.5% (U.S.: 15.9%) $400,000–$499,999: 12.3% (U.S.: 12%) $500,000–$749,999: 13.9% (U.S.: 16.3%) $750,000–$999,999: 5.4% (U.S.: 7.5%) $1,000,000–$1,499,999: 3.2% (U.S.: 4.3%) $1,500,000 or more: 2.6% (U.S.: 3.7%) <$100K $100–150K $150–200K $250–300K $400–500K $500–750K $750K–1M $1.5M+ Median $341,200 (Chicago) 21.5%
Show the data table
RangeChicagoU.S.
Less than $100,0007%10.2%
$100,000–$149,9994.7%5.7%
$150,000–$199,9997.3%7.5%
$200,000–$249,99910.8%8.4%
$250,000–$299,99911.3%8.5%
$300,000–$399,99921.5%15.9%
$400,000–$499,99912.3%12%
$500,000–$749,99913.9%16.3%
$750,000–$999,9995.4%7.5%
$1,000,000–$1,499,9993.2%4.3%
$1,500,000 or more2.6%3.7%

Share of owner-occupied homes. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B25075. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Monthly housing costs in Chicago

Measure Chicago Illinois U.S.
Median rent (all units) $1,486$1,322$1,487
1-bedroom rent $1,399$1,169$1,301
2-bedroom rent $1,526$1,333$1,490
3-bedroom rent $1,661$1,484$1,677
Owner costs with a mortgage $2,377$1,994$2,035

Median gross rent includes utilities the renter pays. Owner costs include the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities. American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

How affordable is Chicago?

At the median, rent takes about 22% of household income in Chicago. Housing experts treat 30% as the limit before a household is considered cost-burdened. To keep the median rent at 30% of income, a household would need to earn about $59,400 a year.

The median home is worth $341,200, or 4.2 times the median household income.

Household income in Chicago

The median household in Chicago earns $80,613 a year, about the same as the U.S. median of $81,604. About 15.5% of households earn $200,000 or more, while 18.1% earn less than $25,000.

Median household income: Chicago vs. Illinois vs. U.S.

Median household income (yearly)

Median household income (yearly) Chicago: $80,613; Illinois: $83,211; U.S.: $81,604 Chicago $80,613 Illinois $83,211 U.S. $81,604
Show the data table
MeasureChicagoIllinoisU.S.
Median household income (yearly)$80,613$83,211$81,604

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Household income distribution in Chicago

Household income distribution in Chicago Share of households in Chicago by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than $10,000, holds 7.4%; the top range, $200,000 or more, holds 15.5%. Median $80,613. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than $10,000: 7.4% (U.S.: 5.1%) $10,000–$14,999: 4.7% (U.S.: 3.3%) $15,000–$19,999: 2.8% (U.S.: 2.8%) $20,000–$24,999: 3.2% (U.S.: 3.2%) $25,000–$29,999: 3.4% (U.S.: 3%) $30,000–$34,999: 3.2% (U.S.: 3.3%) $35,000–$39,999: 3.2% (U.S.: 3.2%) $40,000–$44,999: 3.4% (U.S.: 3.5%) $45,000–$49,999: 2.8% (U.S.: 3.2%) $50,000–$59,999: 4.9% (U.S.: 6.4%) $60,000–$74,999: 8.2% (U.S.: 9.2%) $75,000–$99,999: 11.7% (U.S.: 12.6%) $100,000–$124,999: 9.6% (U.S.: 10.4%) $125,000–$149,999: 6.9% (U.S.: 7.4%) $150,000–$199,999: 9.2% (U.S.: 9.7%) $200,000 or more: 15.5% (U.S.: 13.7%) $10–15K $20–25K $30–35K $40–45K $50–60K $75–100K $125–150K $200K+ Median $80,613 (Chicago) 15.5%
Show the data table
RangeChicagoU.S.
Less than $10,0007.4%5.1%
$10,000–$14,9994.7%3.3%
$15,000–$19,9992.8%2.8%
$20,000–$24,9993.2%3.2%
$25,000–$29,9993.4%3%
$30,000–$34,9993.2%3.3%
$35,000–$39,9993.2%3.2%
$40,000–$44,9993.4%3.5%
$45,000–$49,9992.8%3.2%
$50,000–$59,9994.9%6.4%
$60,000–$74,9998.2%9.2%
$75,000–$99,99911.7%12.6%
$100,000–$124,9999.6%10.4%
$125,000–$149,9996.9%7.4%
$150,000–$199,9999.2%9.7%
$200,000 or more15.5%13.7%

Share of households. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B19001. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Income and home values

Measure Chicago Illinois U.S.
Median household income (yearly) $80,613$83,211$81,604
Median home value $341,200$280,700$360,600

American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Price levels compared with the U.S.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes Regional Price Parities: price levels for the same basket of goods and services, with the U.S. average set to 100. In 2024, the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area scored 103.6 for all items. The highest category is housing rents at 112.0; the lowest is utilities at 83.6.

Regional price parities by category (U.S. = 100)

All items

All items Chicago metro area: 103.6; Illinois: 100.0; U.S.: 100.0 Chicago metro area 103.6 Illinois 100.0 U.S. 100.0

Goods

Goods Chicago metro area: 107.3; Illinois: 103.8; U.S.: 99.6 Chicago metro area 107.3 Illinois 103.8 U.S. 99.6

Housing (rents)

Housing (rents) Chicago metro area: 112.0; Illinois: 93.9; U.S.: 100.6 Chicago metro area 112.0 Illinois 93.9 U.S. 100.6

Utilities

Utilities Chicago metro area: 83.6; Illinois: 85.0; U.S.: 98.4 Chicago metro area 83.6 Illinois 85.0 U.S. 98.4

Other services

Other services Chicago metro area: 100.5; Illinois: 100.2; U.S.: 100.1 Chicago metro area 100.5 Illinois 100.2 U.S. 100.1
Show the data table
MeasureChicago metro areaIllinoisU.S.
All items103.6100.0100.0
Goods107.3103.899.6
Housing (rents)112.093.9100.6
Utilities83.685.098.4
Other services100.5100.2100.1

Index, U.S. = 100. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities, 2024. Metro area: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN. Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities

Utilities and energy costs

Households in Illinois paid an average of 19.2¢ per kWh for electricity in July 2026, compared with 18.3¢ nationally. Over the past 12 months the average residential bill was $132 a month (U.S.: $157). Residential natural gas averaged $15.31 per thousand cubic feet over the 12 months to July 2026 (U.S.: $19.40).

Energy prices are reported statewide, so these are Illinois averages rather than figures for Chicago alone.

Energy prices: Illinois vs. U.S.

Electricity price (¢/kWh)

Electricity price (¢/kWh) Illinois: 19.2¢; U.S.: 18.3¢ Illinois 19.2¢ U.S. 18.3¢

Average electric bill (monthly)

Average electric bill (monthly) Illinois: $132; U.S.: $157 Illinois $132 U.S. $157

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)

Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf) Illinois: $15.31; U.S.: $19.40 Illinois $15.31 U.S. $19.40
Show the data table
MeasureIllinoisU.S.
Electricity price (¢/kWh)19.2¢18.3¢
Average electric bill (monthly)$132$157
Natural gas, 12-mo avg. ($/Mcf)$15.31$19.40

Residential customers. Electricity price for July 2026; electric bill and natural gas are 12-month averages. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Sources: EIA Electric Power Monthly: residential retail sales; EIA Natural Gas Monthly: price delivered to residential consumers

Transportation and commuting

Workers in Chicago who commute spend an average of 33.5 minutes getting to work (U.S.: 27.2 minutes). The most common way to get to work is to drive alone (43.5% of workers); 17.6% work from home. Regular gasoline averaged $4.60 a gallon in the Chicago area in September 2026, compared with $4.36 nationally.

How workers get to work

How workers get to work Chicago: Drove alone 43.5%, Carpooled 7.5%, Public transit 20.5%, Walked 7.1%, Bicycle 1.8%, Worked from home 17.6%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 2%. Illinois: Drove alone 66%, Carpooled 8.3%, Public transit 7%, Walked 3.1%, Bicycle 0.6%, Worked from home 13.6%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.4%. U.S.: Drove alone 69.2%, Carpooled 9.2%, Public transit 3.7%, Walked 2.4%, Bicycle 0.5%, Worked from home 13.3%, Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.) 1.7%. Most common in Chicago: Drove alone. Chicago Chicago · Drove alone: 43.5% 43.5% Chicago · Carpooled: 7.5% Chicago · Public transit: 20.5% 20.5% Chicago · Walked: 7.1% Chicago · Bicycle: 1.8% Chicago · Worked from home: 17.6% 17.6% Chicago · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 2% Illinois Illinois · Drove alone: 66% 66% Illinois · Carpooled: 8.3% Illinois · Public transit: 7% Illinois · Walked: 3.1% Illinois · Bicycle: 0.6% Illinois · Worked from home: 13.6% 13.6% Illinois · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.4% U.S. U.S. · Drove alone: 69.2% 69.2% U.S. · Carpooled: 9.2% U.S. · Public transit: 3.7% U.S. · Walked: 2.4% U.S. · Bicycle: 0.5% U.S. · Worked from home: 13.3% 13.3% U.S. · Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.): 1.7%
Show the data table
Means of transportationChicagoIllinoisU.S.
Drove alone43.5%66%69.2%
Carpooled7.5%8.3%9.2%
Public transit20.5%7%3.7%
Walked7.1%3.1%2.4%
Bicycle1.8%0.6%0.5%
Worked from home17.6%13.6%13.3%
Other (taxi, motorcycle, etc.)2%1.4%1.7%

Share of workers 16 and over. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08301. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Travel time to work in Chicago

Travel time to work in Chicago Share of workers who do not work from home in Chicago by range; ranges differ in width. The bottom range, less than 5 min, holds 1.2%; the top range, 90 min or more, holds 3.4%. Mean 33.5 min. The U.S. distribution is drawn as a line. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% Less than 5 min: 1.2% (U.S.: 2.8%) 5–9 min: 3.7% (U.S.: 9.4%) 10–14 min: 8.1% (U.S.: 13.1%) 15–19 min: 11.3% (U.S.: 15%) 20–24 min: 12.2% (U.S.: 14.1%) 25–29 min: 6.3% (U.S.: 7%) 30–34 min: 18.6% (U.S.: 13.7%) 35–39 min: 4.3% (U.S.: 3.4%) 40–44 min: 6.5% (U.S.: 4.1%) 45–59 min: 14.1% (U.S.: 8.3%) 60–89 min: 10.3% (U.S.: 6.3%) 90 min or more: 3.4% (U.S.: 3%) <5 5–9 10–14 15–19 20–24 25–29 30–34 35–39 40–44 45–59 60–89 90+ Mean 33.5 min (Chicago) 18.6%
Show the data table
RangeChicagoU.S.
Less than 5 min1.2%2.8%
5–9 min3.7%9.4%
10–14 min8.1%13.1%
15–19 min11.3%15%
20–24 min12.2%14.1%
25–29 min6.3%7%
30–34 min18.6%13.7%
35–39 min4.3%3.4%
40–44 min6.5%4.1%
45–59 min14.1%8.3%
60–89 min10.3%6.3%
90 min or more3.4%3%

Share of workers who do not work from home. Census ACS 2024 1-year estimates, table B08303. Source: American Community Survey (U.S. Census Bureau)

Child care costs in Chicago

In 2022, full-time center-based care for an infant had a median price of $278 a week in Cook County, or $14,473 over 52 weeks. That is 60% above the U.S. county median of $174. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation.

Weekly child care prices (2022)

Type of care Cook County Illinois (county median) U.S. (county median)
Center-based care, infant $278$234$174
Center-based care, toddler $220$205$153
Center-based care, preschool $189$172$144
Center-based care, school-age $83$42$120
Home-based family care, infant $208$158$143
Home-based family care, toddler $194$158$132
Home-based family care, preschool $176$147$131
Home-based family care, school-age $52$38$118

Median weekly price for full-time care. State and U.S. figures are medians of county medians. Prices are for 2022 and are not adjusted for inflation. U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Source: National Database of Childcare Prices (U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau)

Food costs

USDA's moderate-cost food plan puts groceries for a family of four at $1,388 a month in August 2026; the thrifty plan comes to $1,024. USDA publishes these as national averages, not city figures, so they show a typical grocery budget rather than Chicago prices.

Monthly cost of food at home (August 2026)

USDA food plan U.S. family of 4 U.S. couple U.S. single man U.S. single woman
Thrifty $1,024$630$383$304
Low-cost $1,126$652$381$331
Moderate-cost $1,388$808$478$403
Liberal $1,679$1,007$583$515

Family of 4: two adults and two children aged 6–8 and 9–11. For a single man, the Thrifty plan costs more than the Low-cost plan: USDA re-evaluated the Thrifty plan in 2021, while the other plans still use older market baskets. USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Official Food Plans, August 2026. Source: USDA Food Plans: Cost of Food at Home (monthly reports)

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Chicago?

Median rent is $1,399 for a one-bedroom and $1,526 for a two-bedroom unit, including utilities the renter pays.

How much do most renters pay in Chicago?

Among renter households paying cash rent, 20.3% pay less than $1,000 a month, 52% pay $1,000 to $1,999, and 27.7% pay $2,000 or more (Census ACS 2024).

How much do you need to make to live in Chicago?

To keep the median rent of $1,486 at no more than 30% of income, a household needs about $59,400 a year before taxes. This covers housing only.

Is Chicago more expensive than the U.S. average?

Yes. The Bureau of Economic Analysis puts overall prices in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area at 103.6 for 2024 (U.S. = 100), 3.6% above average. Housing rents score 112.0.

How long is the average commute in Chicago?

33.5 minutes one way for workers who commute, compared with 27.2 minutes nationally (Census ACS 2024).

How much does infant day care cost in Chicago?

The median price for full-time center-based infant care was $278 a week in Cook County in 2022, according to the Department of Labor's National Database of Childcare Prices.