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Cost of living · head to head

Washington, DC is approximately 5% pricier than Chicago, IL, using Chicago, IL as the comparison base.

Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average. Figures represent the wider Chicago, IL and Washington, DC metropolitan areas, not city limits.

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Chicago, ILoverall index
103.6
Washington, DCoverall index
108.9
Estimated salary equivalent based on regional price levels
in Chicago, IL
A salary of $100,000 in Chicago, IL has approximately the same purchasing power as $105,116 in Washington, DC, based on regional price levels.
In plain terms: Washington, DC is more expensive than Chicago, IL, so you’d need about $105,116 there to match the lifestyle $100,000 buys in Chicago, IL — same groceries, same rent level, same everyday spending. That’s ~$5,100 more to cover the higher cost of living, not a real raise.
Before tax. This estimate does not account for individual spending habits, household size, taxes, childcare, healthcare, transport choices or personal housing circumstances.

Where the difference lies

The headline gap is 5%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing rents in Washington, DC run 35% higher than in Chicago, IL (151.1 vs 112.0), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people, housing rents move the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.

Category comparison

CategoryChicago, ILWashington, DCDifference
Overall103.6108.9+5%
Goods107.3104.8-2%
Housing rents112.0151.1+35%
Utilities83.6106.7+28%
Other services100.5102.3+2%

Washington, DC differs from Chicago, IL the most in housing rents — about 35% higher in Washington, DC — while the closest is other services.

Estimated salary equivalent in Washington, DC

$50,000 in Chicago, IL$52,558
$75,000 in Chicago, IL$78,837
$100,000 in Chicago, IL$105,116
$150,000 in Chicago, IL$157,674
$200,000 in Chicago, IL$210,232

Each row shows the estimated salary equivalent in Washington, DC, based on regional price levels, for the amount earned in Chicago, IL.

Before tax. This estimate does not account for individual spending habits, household size, taxes, childcare, healthcare, transport choices or personal housing circumstances.

Common questions

Is Washington, DC cheaper than Chicago, IL?

No — Washington, DC has an overall cost-of-living index of 108.9 versus 103.6 for Chicago, IL, making it about 5% more expensive.

What is the estimated salary equivalent for $100,000 in Chicago, IL if you moved to Washington, DC?

About $105,116, based on regional price levels — a $100,000 salary in Chicago, IL has approximately the same purchasing power as $105,116 in Washington, DC. This is an estimate and does not account for taxes, household size, or personal spending habits.

Is housing cheaper in Washington, DC than in Chicago, IL?

Housing rents in Washington, DC score 151.1 versus 112.0 in Chicago, IL — about 35% more expensive. Housing rents are often the main driver of differences in overall price levels between metro areas.

What is the cost of living difference between Chicago, IL and Washington, DC?

Overall, Washington, DC is about 5% pricier than Chicago, IL (index 108.9 vs 103.6), with housing 35% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.