Cost of living · head to head
Boston, MA is 5% pricier than Chicago, IL.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Chicago, ILoverall index
103.6
Boston, MAoverall index
108.3
Try your own salary
in Chicago, IL
To live the same in Boston, MA, you’d need about $104,537.
That’s about $4,537 more — Boston, MA is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 5%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Boston, MA runs 32% higher than in Chicago, IL (148.4 vs 112), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in Boston, MA
| $50,000 in Chicago, IL | $52,268 |
| $75,000 in Chicago, IL | $78,403 |
| $100,000 in Chicago, IL | $104,537 |
| $150,000 in Chicago, IL | $156,805 |
| $200,000 in Chicago, IL | $209,073 |
Each row shows the salary in Boston, MA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Chicago, IL.
Chicago, IL · housing
112
Boston, MA · housing
148.4
Common questions
Is Boston, MA cheaper than Chicago, IL?
No — Boston, MA has an overall cost-of-living index of 108.3 versus 103.6 for Chicago, IL, making it about 5% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Boston, MA to match $100,000 in Chicago, IL?
About $104,537. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Chicago, IL costs roughly $104,537 in Boston, MA.
Is housing cheaper in Boston, MA than in Chicago, IL?
Housing in Boston, MA scores 148.4 versus 112 in Chicago, IL — about 32% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Chicago, IL and Boston, MA?
Overall, Boston, MA is about 5% pricier than Chicago, IL (index 108.3 vs 103.6), with housing 32% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.