Cost of living · head to head
Chicago, IL is 9% cheaper than Los Angeles, CA.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Los Angeles, CAoverall index
113.6
Chicago, ILoverall index
103.6
Try your own salary
in Los Angeles, CA
To live the same in Chicago, IL, you’d need about $91,197.
That’s about $8,803 less — Chicago, IL is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 9%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Chicago, IL runs 34% lower than in Los Angeles, CA (112 vs 170.4), 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 Chicago, IL
| $50,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $45,599 |
| $75,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $68,398 |
| $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $91,197 |
| $150,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $136,796 |
| $200,000 in Los Angeles, CA | $182,394 |
Each row shows the salary in Chicago, IL that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Los Angeles, CA.
Los Angeles, CA · housing
170.4
Chicago, IL · housing
112
Common questions
Is Chicago, IL cheaper than Los Angeles, CA?
Yes — Chicago, IL has an overall cost-of-living index of 103.6 versus 113.6 for Los Angeles, CA, making it about 9% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Chicago, IL to match $100,000 in Los Angeles, CA?
About $91,197. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Los Angeles, CA costs roughly $91,197 in Chicago, IL.
Is housing cheaper in Chicago, IL than in Los Angeles, CA?
Housing in Chicago, IL scores 112 versus 170.4 in Los Angeles, CA — about 34% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Los Angeles, CA and Chicago, IL?
Overall, Chicago, IL is about 9% cheaper than Los Angeles, CA (index 103.6 vs 113.6), with housing 34% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.