Median rent is 2% lower in Chicago ($1,440/mo vs $1,470/mo). Buying is cheaper in Arlington, where the median home runs $304,700 versus $334,100. Households earn more in Chicago ($77,902 vs $75,171 a year). Taken together, Chicago is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 102.5 — about 0% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Chicago, IL.
City A
Arlington, TX
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Arlington, TX?
Equivalent salary in Chicago, IL
$74,997
You could earn $3 less (0% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Arlington
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,470/mo in Arlington and $1,440/mo in Chicago. Median home values are within 9% of each other: $304,700 in Arlington and $334,100 in Chicago.
Metric
Arlington
Chicago
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Arlington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Chicago
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Chicago has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 55.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Chicago is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 0% lower in Chicago.
Median rent is $1,470/mo in Arlington, TX and $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 2%.
Median household income is $75,171 in Arlington, TX and $77,902 in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Chicago, IL has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Arlington, TX is equivalent to roughly $99,996 in Chicago, IL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
