Cost of Living in Chicago
United States • Pop: 2.7M
Chicago offers big city amenities with significantly lower costs than coastal cities.
Affordable big cityGreat food sceneStrong job marketExcellent transit
Cost
Index
Index
68
Rent
Index
Index
55
Avg Net Salary
$4,200/mo
Cost Breakdown vs NYC (Index 100)
Overall Cost
68
32% cheaperRent
55
45% cheaperGroceries
85
15% cheaperRestaurants
80
20% cheaperTransport
90
10% cheaperUtilities
95
5% cheaperSalary Equivalence
How much you'd need to earn in Chicago to match a NYC salary
| NYC Salary | Equivalent in Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $34,000 | Save $16,000 |
| $75,000 | $51,000 | Save $24,000 |
| $100,000 | $68,000 | Save $32,000 |
| $125,000 | $85,000 | Save $40,000 |
| $150,000 | $102,000 | Save $48,000 |
| $200,000 | $136,000 | Save $64,000 |
Living in Chicago: What to Expect
Chicago has a cost of living index of 68, meaning it is 32% cheaper than NYC in overall living costs.
The average net monthly salary in Chicago is approximately $4,200 ($4,200 when converted to USD).
Cost Breakdown
- Rent: Index of 55
- Groceries: Index of 85
- Restaurants: Index of 80
- Transport: Index of 90
- Utilities: Index of 95
Key highlights: Affordable big city, Great food scene, Strong job market, Excellent transit.
Use our US salary calculator to see your take-home pay, or compare with other cities.