City vs city
Chicago, IL vs Las Vegas, NV
- Rent is 9% lower in Chicago (median $1,440/mo vs $1,563/mo in Las Vegas).
- Homes cost 28% less in Chicago ($334k vs $428k median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $175 more a month after taxes and rent in Las Vegas.
- Las Vegas has no state income tax on wages; Chicago does.
- Schools rate higher in Las Vegas (3.4/10 vs 2.4/10).
- Chicago has less violent crime (4.2 vs 6 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- Las Vegas has milder winters (47°F vs 26°F average).
- Las Vegas gets more sun (294 vs 189 sunny days a year).
| Chicago | Las Vegas | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,440/mo | $1,563/mo |
| Median home value | $334k | $428k |
| Median household income | $78k | $74k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,395 | $3,570 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | None |
| School rating | 2.4/10 | 3.4/10 |
| Violent crime | 1.2× the US rate | 1.7× the US rate |
| Summer average | 85°F | 104°F |
| Winter average | 26°F | 47°F |
| Sunny days a year | 189 | 294 |
| Walk score | 77 | 42 |
| Population | 2,711,226 | 660,400 |
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.
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