Chicago, IL vs Las Vegas, NV
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
Chicago comes out ahead on the two metrics that matter most for relocation math: housing runs 20% cheaper than Las Vegas, and median household income runs 6% higher. That combination is uncommon — usually one trades off the other. Las Vegas also has no state income tax, while the other state tops out at 5.0% — a meaningful annual difference at higher income levels.
Median Home Value
$315,200 ✓
$395,300
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$422,841
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo ✓
$1,456/mo
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
55.7%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
22.6x
Median Household Income
$75,134 ✓
$70,723
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$38,421
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
7.2% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.8%
14.2%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
27.8 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
72.6%
Public Transit %
19.3%
2.5%
Work From Home %
18.3%
10.5%
State Income Tax
5.0%
None
Total Sales Tax
8.7%
8.2% ✓
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
0.6%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.9%
17.3%
Median Age
35.7
38.5
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
79.9°F
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
4"
Chicago, IL 3 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Median Household Income
Las Vegas, NV 2 wins
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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