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Cost of living · head to head

Chicago, IL is approximately 8% cheaper than New York, NY, using New York, NY 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 New York, NY and Chicago, IL metropolitan areas, not city limits.

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New York, NYoverall index
112.6
Chicago, ILoverall index
103.6
Estimated salary equivalent based on regional price levels
in New York, NY
A salary of $100,000 in New York, NY has approximately the same purchasing power as $92,007 in Chicago, IL, based on regional price levels.
In plain terms: Chicago, IL is cheaper than New York, NY, so you’d only need about $92,007 there to match the lifestyle $100,000 buys in New York, NY — same groceries, same rent level, same everyday spending. That’s ~$8,000 less you’d need to earn, not a step down.
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 8%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing rents in Chicago, IL run 25% lower than in New York, NY (112.0 vs 148.6), 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

CategoryNew York, NYChicago, ILDifference
Overall112.6103.6-8%
Goods110.3107.3-3%
Housing rents148.6112.0-25%
Utilities127.083.6-34%
Other services105.8100.5-5%

Chicago, IL differs from New York, NY the most in utilities — about 34% lower in Chicago, IL — while the closest is goods.

Estimated salary equivalent in Chicago, IL

$50,000 in New York, NY$46,004
$75,000 in New York, NY$69,005
$100,000 in New York, NY$92,007
$150,000 in New York, NY$138,011
$200,000 in New York, NY$184,014

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

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 Chicago, IL cheaper than New York, NY?

Yes — Chicago, IL has an overall cost-of-living index of 103.6 versus 112.6 for New York, NY, making it about 8% cheaper.

What is the estimated salary equivalent for $100,000 in New York, NY if you moved to Chicago, IL?

About $92,007, based on regional price levels — a $100,000 salary in New York, NY has approximately the same purchasing power as $92,007 in Chicago, IL. This is an estimate and does not account for taxes, household size, or personal spending habits.

Is housing cheaper in Chicago, IL than in New York, NY?

Housing rents in Chicago, IL score 112.0 versus 148.6 in New York, NY — about 25% cheaper. Housing rents are often the main driver of differences in overall price levels between metro areas.

What is the cost of living difference between New York, NY and Chicago, IL?

Overall, Chicago, IL is about 8% cheaper than New York, NY (index 103.6 vs 112.6), with housing 25% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.