Cost of living · head to head
Los Angeles, CA is 10% 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
Los Angeles, CAoverall index
113.6
Try your own salary
in Chicago, IL
To live the same in Los Angeles, CA, you’d need about $109,653.
That’s about $9,653 more — Los Angeles, CA is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 10%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Los Angeles, CA runs 52% higher than in Chicago, IL (170.4 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 Los Angeles, CA
| $50,000 in Chicago, IL | $54,826 |
| $75,000 in Chicago, IL | $82,239 |
| $100,000 in Chicago, IL | $109,653 |
| $150,000 in Chicago, IL | $164,479 |
| $200,000 in Chicago, IL | $219,305 |
Each row shows the salary in Los Angeles, CA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Chicago, IL.
Chicago, IL · housing
112
Los Angeles, CA · housing
170.4
Common questions
Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Chicago, IL?
No — Los Angeles, CA has an overall cost-of-living index of 113.6 versus 103.6 for Chicago, IL, making it about 10% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to match $100,000 in Chicago, IL?
About $109,653. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Chicago, IL costs roughly $109,653 in Los Angeles, CA.
Is housing cheaper in Los Angeles, CA than in Chicago, IL?
Housing in Los Angeles, CA scores 170.4 versus 112 in Chicago, IL — about 52% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Chicago, IL and Los Angeles, CA?
Overall, Los Angeles, CA is about 10% pricier than Chicago, IL (index 113.6 vs 103.6), with housing 52% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.