Chicago vs Austin: Cost of Living
Last updated 2026-06-15 ยท MovePlan Editorial Team
Chicago is about 1% cheaper overall. Here is how Chicago and Austin compare on rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare.
- Chicago cost-of-living index: 107 vs 100
- Austin cost-of-living index: 108 vs 100
- Chicago median 2BR rent: $2,200/mo
- Austin median 2BR rent: $2,400/mo
Build my free moving plan