Washington, DC vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living Comparison
Updated November 2026
Chicago is the cheaper place to live: overall prices in Washington are 5.2% higher, and utilities prices differ the most (106.7 in Washington vs 83.6 in Chicago). A single adult's modelled budget is $3,627 a month in Washington and $2,862 in Chicago.
Side-by-side figures
| Measure | Washington, DC | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Local cost index (CostLiving estimate) | 109.4 | 103.9 |
| BEA index for the area | 108.9 | 103.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 135.9 | 106.7 |
| Goods | 104.8 | 107.3 |
| Utilities | 106.7 | 83.6 |
| Other services | 102.3 | 100.5 |
| Monthly budget, single adult | $3,627 | $2,862 |
| Monthly budget, couple | $5,311 | $4,482 |
| Monthly budget, family of 4 | $6,532 | $5,408 |
| Median gross rent | $1,954 | $1,440 |
| 1-bedroom rent | $1,944 | $1,325 |
| 2-bedroom rent | $2,083 | $1,467 |
| 3-bedroom rent | $2,503 | $1,623 |
| Median home value | $737,100 | $334,100 |
| Median household income | $109,870 | $77,902 |
| Rent as % of renter income | 28.6% | 29.3% |
| Home value ÷ income | 6.7× | 4.3× |
| Electricity (state, ¢/kWh) | 25.98 | 19.32 |
| Regular gasoline ($/gal) | $4.23 † | $4.10 † |
| Population | 681,294 | 2,711,226 |
* fallback value (see notes) · † regional gasoline figure. Local index: CostLiving estimate from BEA RPP 2024 and ACS rents; housing and income: Census ACS 2020-2024; electricity: EIA August 2026; gasoline: EIA week of 2026-11-02.
Prices by category
Washington, DC
Washington price index by category, US average = 100: All items 109.4, Housing (rents) 135.9, Goods 104.8, Utilities 106.7, Other services 102.3
Chicago, IL
Chicago price index by category, US average = 100: All items 103.9, Housing (rents) 106.7, Goods 107.3, Utilities 83.6, Other services 100.5
Monthly budget, family of 4
| Category | Washington | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | $2,374 | $1,422 | −$952 |
| Utilities | $534 | $431 | −$103 |
| Food at home | $779 | $797 | +$18 |
| Transportation | $1,781 | $1,700 | −$81 |
| Health care | $621 | $610 | −$11 |
| Clothing, personal care & supplies | $443 | $448 | +$5 |
| Total | $6,532 | $5,408 | −$1,124 |
Modelled estimate, excluding taxes and child care. How it is calculated.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Chicago more expensive than Washington?
No. Overall prices in Chicago, IL (index 103.9) are 5.0% lower than in Washington, DC (index 109.4), based on our local cost index (BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 adjusted for local rents). The biggest gap is in utilities: 83.6 vs 106.7.
What salary do I need in Chicago to match $60,000 in Washington?
About $57,000. Going the other way, $60,000 in Chicago buys about as much as $63,100 in Washington. Taxes are not included.
Is rent cheaper in Washington or Chicago?
Median gross rent is $1,954 in Washington and $1,440 in Chicago (−26.3% in Chicago; Census ACS 2020-2024). Median home values are $737,100 and $334,100.
Notes
- Washington: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
- Chicago: gasoline price - PADD region (EIA publishes weekly prices for only 9 states).
Not financial advice. Methodology · Sources