Median rent is 16% lower in Alvin ($1,164/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Alvin, where the median home runs $212,500 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $68,769 a year).
City A
Alvin, TX
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Alvin, TX?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Alvin
Texas
Chicago
Illinois
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Alvin at $1,164/mo compared to $1,380/mo in Chicago (16% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $212,500 in Alvin — 33% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Texas has no state income tax, while Illinois tops out at 4.95% — giving Alvin a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Texas and 6.25% in Illinois; Chicago has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Alvin
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Alvin.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Alvin if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,164/mo median).
Pick Alvin if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Alvin cheaper than Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Alvin vs Chicago?
Median rent is $1,164/mo in Alvin, TX and $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL. Alvin, TX has the lower rent by about 16%.
Which has higher salaries — Alvin or Chicago?
Median household income is $68,769 in Alvin, TX and $75,134 in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Alvin or Chicago?
Texas has no state income tax. Illinois has a top rate of 4.95%.
What salary do I need in Chicago to match my Alvin income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology