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Chicago vs Houston: prices, pay and housing
| Chicago, IL | Houston, TX | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 103.6 | 98.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $73,380 | $67,610 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $54,720 | $49,410 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $70,834 | $68,550 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,962 | $56,394 |
| Typical home value | $353,998 | $308,306 |
| Median household income | $88,850 | $80,458 |
| Home price / household income | 4.0 | 3.8 |
| Metro population | 9,359,555 | 7,274,714 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Chicago to Houston
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Chicago to Houston, multiply your salary by 0.952.
| Salary in Chicago | Same buying power in Houston |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Chicago | $47,603 in Houston |
| $75,000 in Chicago | $71,405 in Houston |
| $100,000 in Chicago | $95,206 in Houston |
| $150,000 in Chicago | $142,809 in Houston |
| $200,000 in Chicago | $190,413 in Houston |
Salaries for common jobs in Chicago and Houston
| Job | Chicago | Houston | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,690 | $27,630 | $33,486 / $28,014 |
| General and Operations Managers | $143,740 | $146,320 | $138,752 / $148,354 |
| Retail Salespersons | $39,370 | $34,640 | $38,004 / $35,122 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,700 | $38,670 | $39,288 / $39,208 |
| Registered Nurses | $97,930 | $100,290 | $94,532 / $101,684 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $49,800 | $43,380 | $48,072 / $43,983 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,490 | $25,830 | $37,154 / $26,189 |
| Cashiers | $35,760 | $30,100 | $34,519 / $30,518 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,140 | $39,910 | $41,643 / $40,465 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,650 | $29,180 | $34,413 / $29,586 |
| Office Clerks, General | $49,620 | $43,320 | $47,898 / $43,922 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $65,170 | $58,160 | $62,908 / $58,968 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $41,400 | $32,660 | $39,963 / $33,114 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $74,970 | $73,150 | $72,368 / $74,167 |
| Project Management Specialists | $113,740 | $107,190 | $109,793 / $108,680 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Chicago vs Houston: questions
Is Chicago more expensive than Houston?
Yes. BEA prices are 103.6 in Chicago, IL and 98.6 in Houston, TX (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Houston to match $100,000 in Chicago?
About $95,206, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Chicago or Houston?
Chicago, IL: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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