Median rent is 28% lower in Chicago ($1,380/mo vs $1,908/mo). Buying is cheaper in Missouri City, where the median home runs $281,600 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Missouri City ($96,746 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Missouri City, TX
How much would you need to earn in Missouri City, 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
Missouri City
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 Chicago — median rent of $1,380/mo versus $1,908/mo in Missouri City, a 28% difference. Median home values are within 11% of each other: $315,200 in Chicago and $281,600 in Missouri City.
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 Missouri City a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.25% in Texas; Missouri City has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Missouri City
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Missouri City.
Pick Missouri City if you prioritize higher median household income ($96,746/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,380/mo median).
Pick Missouri City if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Chicago cheaper than Missouri City?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Missouri City?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,908/mo in Missouri City, TX. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 28%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Missouri City?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $96,746 in Missouri City, TX. Missouri City, 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 — Chicago or Missouri City?
Texas has no state income tax. Illinois has a top rate of 4.95%.
What salary do I need in Missouri City 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