City vs city
Austin, TX vs Chicago, IL
- Rent is 20% lower in Chicago (median $1,440/mo vs $1,729/mo in Austin).
- Homes cost 66% less in Chicago ($334k vs $555k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $9 more a month after taxes and rent in Austin.
- Austin has no state income tax on wages; Chicago does.
- Schools rate higher in Austin (5.2/10 vs 2.4/10).
- Austin has milder winters (52°F vs 26°F average).
- Austin gets more sun (228 vs 189 sunny days a year).
| Austin | Chicago | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,729/mo | $1,440/mo |
| Median home value | $555k | $334k |
| Median household income | $94k | $78k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,404 | $3,395 |
| State income tax on wages | None | Yes |
| School rating | 5.2/10 | 2.4/10 |
| Violent crime | 1.2× the US rate | 1.2× the US rate |
| Summer average | 98°F | 85°F |
| Winter average | 52°F | 26°F |
| Sunny days a year | 228 | 189 |
| Walk score | 42 | 77 |
| Population | 979,539 | 2,711,226 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
Not sure it's either one?
Tell the AI matcher your budget, job and dealbreakers, and get cities that fit, with the real numbers.
Find my city