Chicago, Illinois has an overall cost of living index of 102.5, which is 2.5 points above the US average of 100 — making it about average versus most American cities. Renters pay a median of $1,440 per month, while the typical home is valued around $334,100. Households earn a median of $77,902 per year, leaving rent at a manageable share of income for many residents. Air quality is good, with an average AQI of 31. Below: housing costs, local wages by occupation, neighborhoods, climate, jobs and major industries, and healthcare access — all drawn from US Census, BEA, BLS, HUD, EPA, and NOAA data.
Median Household Income
$77,902
Annual · Census ACS
Median Gross Rent
$1,440
Per month · Census ACS
Median Home Value
$334,100
Census ACS
Cost of Living Index
102.5
BEA RPP · US avg = 100
Studio FMR
$1,480
HUD Fair Market Rent
1BR Fair Market Rent
$1,581
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,781
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
$2,294
HUD FMR
HUD Fair Market Rent = 40th percentile gross rent · FY2024
Each category is indexed to the US average of 100. Below 100 = cheaper than average.
Overall
102.5
Goods
104.3
Rents / Housing
111.0
Services
77.0
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (metro-level)
| Occupation | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| 💻Software Developer | $130,930 |
| 🏥Registered Nurse | $94,580 |
| 📚Elementary Teacher | $73,950 |
| ⚡Electrician | $92,320 |
| 📊Accountant | $92,100 |
| 🔧Plumber | $92,410 |
| ⚕️Nurse Practitioner | $227,170 |
| 🏗️Civil Engineer | $107,650 |
| 👔Operations Manager | $142,650 |
| 📈Market Research Analyst | $82,980 |
| 🏢Health Services Manager | $141,690 |
| 🚛Truck Driver | $64,990 |
| 👨⚕️Physician Assistant | N/A |
| 🩺Surgeon | N/A |
| 🧮Data Scientist | N/A |
| 🖥️Computer Engineer | $111,810 |
Source: BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
Population
2,711,226
Latest estimate
Median Age
35.8 yrs
Census ACS
Average AQI
31.0
Source: EPA AirNow
Total Neighborhoods
5
Tracked in our database
Avg Walk Score
58
0–100 scale
Avg Median Rent
$1,863
Per month
Avg Home Value
$409,780
Census ACS
January Avg
26°F
July Avg
76°F
Sunny Days / Year
—
Annual Snowfall
—
Climate category: Continental · Source: NOAA/NCEI 30-year normals.
Healthcare Score
30.5
poor
Hospitals
34
Doctors per 1,000
1.00
Insurance Coverage
90.2%
What is the cost of living index for Chicago?
Chicago has a Regional Price Parity (RPP) index of 102.5. The US national average is 100, so Chicago is 2.5 points above the national average.
What is the median rent in Chicago?
The median gross rent in Chicago is $1,440 per month according to US Census ACS data.
What is the median household income in Chicago?
The median household income in Chicago is $77,902 per year.
What is the median home value in Chicago?
The median home value in Chicago is $334,100 based on the latest Census ACS survey.
How is the air quality in Chicago?
Chicago has an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 31.0, which is rated "Good" by the EPA. Lower AQI values indicate cleaner air.
What are the taxes like in Chicago?
Tax data for Illinois is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
