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Cost of living · head to head

Chicago, IL is approximately 5% cheaper than Washington, DC, using Washington, DC 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 Washington, DC and Chicago, IL metropolitan areas, not city limits.

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Washington, DCoverall index
108.9
Chicago, ILoverall index
103.6
Estimated salary equivalent based on regional price levels
in Washington, DC
A salary of $100,000 in Washington, DC has approximately the same purchasing power as $95,133 in Chicago, IL, based on regional price levels.
In plain terms: Chicago, IL is cheaper than Washington, DC, so you’d only need about $95,133 there to match the lifestyle $100,000 buys in Washington, DC — same groceries, same rent level, same everyday spending. That’s ~$4,900 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 5%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing rents in Chicago, IL run 26% lower than in Washington, DC (112.0 vs 151.1), 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

CategoryWashington, DCChicago, ILDifference
Overall108.9103.6-5%
Goods104.8107.3+2%
Housing rents151.1112.0-26%
Utilities106.783.6-22%
Other services102.3100.5-2%

Chicago, IL differs from Washington, DC the most in housing rents — about 26% lower in Chicago, IL — while the closest is other services.

Estimated salary equivalent in Chicago, IL

$50,000 in Washington, DC$47,567
$75,000 in Washington, DC$71,350
$100,000 in Washington, DC$95,133
$150,000 in Washington, DC$142,700
$200,000 in Washington, DC$190,266

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

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 Washington, DC?

Yes — Chicago, IL has an overall cost-of-living index of 103.6 versus 108.9 for Washington, DC, making it about 5% cheaper.

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

About $95,133, based on regional price levels — a $100,000 salary in Washington, DC has approximately the same purchasing power as $95,133 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 Washington, DC?

Housing rents in Chicago, IL score 112.0 versus 151.1 in Washington, DC — about 26% 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 Washington, DC and Chicago, IL?

Overall, Chicago, IL is about 5% cheaper than Washington, DC (index 103.6 vs 108.9), with housing 26% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.