Phoenix vs Chicago: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Phoenix, AZ and Chicago, IL, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,609,456 | 2,721,914 |
| Median household income | $72,092 | $71,673 |
| Median home value | $340,200 | $304,500 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,322 | $1,314 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Phoenix, AZ and Chicago, IL comes down to what you value most. Chicago has the lower median home value, and Chicago has the lower median rent.
Phoenix has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Phoenix or Chicago?
- By median home value, Chicago is the cheaper of the two ($304,500 vs $340,200). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Phoenix or Chicago?
- Median household income is $72,092 in Phoenix versus $71,673 in Chicago, per the US Census Bureau.