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Las Vegas vs Chicago

Cost of living comparison — C2ER 2024-2025 data

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Chicago is 4% cheaper than Las Vegas overall.Las Vegas has a cost of living index of 111 vs Chicago at 107 (national average = 100). The biggest difference is housing Las Vegas costs 12% more.

Pierre
Built by Pierre — MBA, Business Strategist & AI Consultant, Founder of DayblipAbout the author →
Las Vegas
NV
111
COLI index
VS
Chicago
IL
107
COLI index

Category Breakdown

CategoryLas VegasChicagoDifference
Overall COLI111107-4%
Housing148130-12%
Groceries106105-1%
Transport109108-1%
Healthcare104103-1%
Utilities108112+4%

Median 1BR Rent

Las Vegas
$1,550/mo
Chicago
$1,750/mo

Median Home Price

Las Vegas
$400,000
Chicago
$310,000

Median Household Income

Las Vegas
$60,266
Chicago
$62,097

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Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago is cheaper to live in overall. Las Vegas has a cost of living index of 111 while Chicago has an index of 107, where 100 represents the US national average. Chicago is 4% cheaper than Las Vegas overall.

The median 1-bedroom rent in Las Vegas is $1,550 per month compared to $1,750 in Chicago. The median home price in Las Vegas is $400,000 versus $310,000 in Chicago. Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities.

Las Vegas has a cost of living index of 111 and Chicago has an index of 107, both measured against a US national average of 100. An index above 100 means more expensive than the national average — below 100 means cheaper.

To maintain the same purchasing power as a salary in Las Vegas, multiply by 0.96. For example a $75,000 salary in Las Vegas is equivalent to approximately $72,297 in Chicago.

Las Vegas has a median household income of $60,266 per year versus $62,097 in Chicago. Higher incomes must be weighed against cost of living. Use the Dayblip salary tools to see specific job salaries in both cities.

Whether moving from Las Vegas to Chicago is worthwhile depends on your salary, lifestyle, and priorities. Chicago is 4% cheaper overall — with the biggest difference in housing. Use the Dayblip cost of living calculator to enter your specific salary and see the exact dollar impact.

Last updated: June 2026

Methodology: Cost of living indices from C2ER Cost of Living Index 2024-2025. Rent data from Zillow December 2024. Home price data from Zillow Home Value Index December 2024. Household income from US Census Bureau ACS 2023. National average COLI = 100. Data updated annually.