Median rent is 35% lower in Del Rio ($892/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Del Rio, where the median home runs $143,200 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $59,588 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Del Rio, TX
How much would you need to earn in Del Rio, TX to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
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
Chicago
Illinois
Del Rio
Texas
👥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 Del Rio — median rent of $892/mo versus $1,380/mo in Chicago, a 35% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $143,200 in Del Rio — 55% 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 Del Rio a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.25% in Texas; Del Rio has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Del Rio
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Del Rio.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Del Rio if you prioritize cheaper rent ($892/mo median).
Pick Del Rio if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Chicago cheaper than Del Rio?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Del Rio?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $892/mo in Del Rio, TX. Del Rio, TX has the lower rent by about 35%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Del Rio?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $59,588 in Del Rio, TX. 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 — Chicago or Del Rio?
Texas has no state income tax. Illinois has a top rate of 4.95%.
What salary do I need in Del Rio to match my Chicago 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