Median rent is 28% lower in Pharr ($990/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Pharr, where the median home runs $111,500 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $49,884 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Pharr, TX
How much would you need to earn in Pharr, 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
Pharr
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 Pharr — median rent of $990/mo versus $1,380/mo in Chicago, a 28% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $111,500 in Pharr — 65% 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 Pharr a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.25% in Texas; Pharr has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Pharr
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Pharr.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Pharr if you prioritize cheaper rent ($990/mo median).
Pick Pharr if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Chicago cheaper than Pharr?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Pharr?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $990/mo in Pharr, TX. Pharr, TX has the lower rent by about 28%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Pharr?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $49,884 in Pharr, 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 Pharr?
Texas has no state income tax. Illinois has a top rate of 4.95%.
What salary do I need in Pharr 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