Question 1

Is Chicago or El Paso cheaper to live in?

Accepted Answer

El Paso, TX is cheaper. Estimated essentials for a single person run about $605/month less than in Chicago, covering rent plus everyday costs. Typical rent is $1,781/mo in Chicago versus $1,191/mo in El Paso.

Question 2

What salary do you need in Chicago vs El Paso?

Accepted Answer

Living comfortably takes roughly $81,000/year before tax in Chicago, IL and $63,500/year in El Paso, TX — a difference of about $17,500. Both figures are after state and local income taxes are accounted for.

Question 3

Is Chicago or El Paso cheaper for a family?

Accepted Answer

El Paso, the same answer as for a single person. Two adults with a pre-schooler and a school-age child run about $9,545/month in Chicago and $8,277/month in El Paso, including county-median childcare.

Question 4

Should I move to Chicago or El Paso?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you weight. El Paso costs less month to month, but cost is one of six factors — jobs, safety, climate, housing and amenities all differ too. Compare them against your own income and priorities rather than a single ranking.

Metric	Chicago61	El Paso79
Est. monthly cost (single)	$4,293	$3,688
Est. monthly cost (family of 4, incl. childcare)	$9,545	$8,277
Salary for comfort	$81,000/yr	$63,500/yr
Typical rent	$1,781	$1,191
Median home value	$315,200	$171,700
Median household income	$75,134	$58,734
Unemployment	5.9%	4.8%
Housing score	52	85
Jobs score	7	46
Safety score	66	98
Climate score	89	94
Amenities score	73	39
Population	2.7M	678.1K
Summer high / winter low	85° / 21°	95° / 33°

Chicago, IL vs El Paso, TX