Moving from Chicago, IL-IN to Houston, TX
About 4,031 people made this move in a typical year (Census Bureau metro-to-metro migration flows, ACS 5-year 2016-2020). Here is what the move does to two households’ budgets after 2026 taxes — and the salary each needs in Houston, TX.
Single, $70k: line by line
Single adult earning $70,000, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (1 bedroom). Taxes take 21.8% of income in Chicago, IL-IN and 17.0% in Houston, TX.
Chicago, IL-IN Houston, TX (monthly)
| Monthly | Chicago, IL-IN | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $5,833 | $5,833 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,270 | $994 | −$277 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law | $548 | $548 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $446 | $446 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law · no state tax on wages | $277 | $0 | −$277 |
| Take-home pay | $4,563 | $4,840 | +$277 |
| Housing | $1,780 | $1,261 | −$519 |
| Rent, 1-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $1,780 | $1,261 | −$519 |
| Food | $472 | $443 | −$29 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 100.6 | $472 | $443 | −$29 |
| Transportation | $164 | $155 | −$9 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 12,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.87/gal (TX weekly average) | $164 | $155 | −$9 |
| Sales tax | $34 | $31 | −$2 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.25% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $34 | $31 | −$2 |
| Other goods & services | $1,039 | $981 | −$58 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 100.6 | $536 | $503 | −$33 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 95.6 | $502 | $478 | −$24 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $1,074 | $1,968 | +$894 |
Family of four, $120k: line by line
Two adults, a preschooler and a school-age child, $120,000 combined, renting. Same gross pay in both places; renting at HUD Fair Market Rent (2 bedrooms), center-based childcare in current dollars. Taxes take 16.8% of income in Chicago, IL-IN and 12.3% in Houston, TX.
Chicago, IL-IN Houston, TX (monthly)
| Monthly | Chicago, IL-IN | Houston, TX | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross income | $10,000 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Taxes | $1,682 | $1,235 | −$447 |
| Federal income tax2026 tax law · after $4,400 Child Tax Credit | $470 | $470 | $0 |
| Social Security + Medicare2026 tax law | $765 | $765 | $0 |
| State income tax2026 tax law · no state tax on wages | $447 | $0 | −$447 |
| Take-home pay | $8,318 | $8,765 | +$447 |
| Housing | $2,011 | $1,497 | −$514 |
| Rent, 2-bedroomHUD FMR FY2027 · 40th-percentile gross rent, includes tenant-paid utilities | $2,011 | $1,497 | −$514 |
| Childcare | $1,440 | $1,711 | +$271 |
| Childcare, center-basedDOL NDCP 2022 · preschool $167/wk, school-age $156/wk (2022 prices, Harris County, TX); × 1.2224 BLS CPI day care, 2022 to 2026-08 | $1,440 | $1,711 | +$271 |
| Food | $1,376 | $1,291 | −$85 |
| Food at home (USDA Moderate-Cost plan)USDA food plans August 2026 · US cost × RPP goods 100.6 | $1,376 | $1,291 | −$85 |
| Transportation | $329 | $310 | −$19 |
| GasolineEIA electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05 · 24,000 mi ÷ 25 mpg × $3.87/gal (TX weekly average) | $329 | $310 | −$19 |
| Sales tax | $34 | $31 | −$2 |
| State sales taxState revenue dept. 2026-10-13 · 6.25% on other goods; groceries exempt — local add-ons not modeled | $34 | $31 | −$2 |
| Other goods & services | $1,039 | $981 | −$58 |
| Other goods (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP goods 100.6 | $536 | $503 | −$33 |
| Other services (estimate)Estimate (BEA RPP 2024) · your US-average baseline × RPP other services 95.6 | $502 | $478 | −$24 |
| Left over after modeled costs | $2,091 | $2,944 | +$853 |
Chicago, IL-IN vs Houston, TX at a glance
| Measure | Chicago, IL-IN | Houston, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (BEA RPP, US = 100) | 103.6 | 98.6 |
| Housing price level | 112.0 | 104.5 |
| 1-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $1,780 | $1,261 |
| 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,011 | $1,497 |
| 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent | $2,586 | $2,017 |
| Median home value | $323,000 | $298,000 |
| Effective property-tax rate | 1.98% | 1.61% |
| Median household income | $90,887 | $82,168 |
| Center infant care / week (DOL NDCP 2022 unless noted) | $278 | $185 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | No |
| Mandatory local income tax (principal city) | None in our data | None in our data |
| State sales tax | 6.25% | 6.25% |
| Regular gasoline | $4.11 | $3.87 |
| Average electric bill (state) | $127 | $171 |
Sources: BEA RPP 2024; HUD FMR FY2027; Census ACS 2020-2024; DOL NDCP 2022; 2026 tax law; state revenue departments; EIA (electricity 2025, natural gas 2024, gasoline week ending 2026-10-05).
Frequently asked questions
How much do I need to make in Houston, TX to keep my Chicago, IL-IN lifestyle?+
For a single renter earning $70,000 in Chicago, IL-IN, about $56,215 in Houston, TX (−19.7%). For two adults with a preschooler and a school-age child on $120,000, about $107,266. Both keep the same money left over after 2026 taxes, rent, childcare, food, fuel and other modeled costs.
Is Houston, TX cheaper than Chicago, IL-IN?+
On BEA’s 2024 price index, Houston, TX is at 98.6 and Chicago, IL-IN at 103.6 (US = 100). After taxes and household costs, a single renter on $70,000 would have +$894 a month in Houston, TX.
How many people move from Chicago, IL-IN to Houston, TX?+
About 4,031 people a year (±969), according to the Census Bureau’s metro-to-metro migration flows (ACS 5-year 2016-2020).
What isn’t included?+
Moving costs, health insurance, car payments and insurance, local sales tax add-ons and differences in wages between the two metros. Add known monthly costs in the calculator’s “Fixed costs / month” field.