Median rent is 21% lower in Chicago ($1,380/mo vs $1,753/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $315,200 versus $474,800. Households earn more in Cedar Park ($123,972 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Cedar Park, TX
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Cedar Park, 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
Cedar Park
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Chicago — median rent of $1,380/mo versus $1,753/mo in Cedar Park, a 21% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Cedar Park: the median home is $474,800 versus $315,200 in Chicago — 34% 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 Cedar Park 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).
Cedar Park
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 Cedar Park.
Pick Cedar Park if you prioritize higher median household income ($123,972/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,380/mo median).
Pick Cedar Park if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Cedar Park cheaper than Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Cedar Park vs Chicago?
Median rent is $1,753/mo in Cedar Park, TX and $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 21%.
Which has higher salaries — Cedar Park or Chicago?
Median household income is $123,972 in Cedar Park, TX and $75,134 in Chicago, IL. Cedar Park, TX 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 — Cedar Park 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 Cedar Park 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