Median rent is 14% lower in Allen Park ($1,181/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Allen Park, where the median home runs $174,500 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Allen Park ($80,045 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Allen Park, MI
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Allen Park, MI?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Allen Park
Michigan
Chicago
Illinois
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Allen Park at $1,181/mo compared to $1,380/mo in Chicago (14% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $174,500 in Allen Park — 45% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Michigan's top income tax rate is 4.25% versus 4.95% in Illinois, so Allen Park is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Michigan and 6.25% in Illinois; Allen Park has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Allen Park
Income tax: 4.25%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Allen Park.
Pick Allen Park if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,045/yr).
Pick Allen Park if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,181/mo median).
Pick Allen Park if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.25%).
Is Allen Park cheaper than Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Allen Park vs Chicago?
Median rent is $1,181/mo in Allen Park, MI and $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL. Allen Park, MI has the lower rent by about 14%.
Which has higher salaries — Allen Park or Chicago?
Median household income is $80,045 in Allen Park, MI and $75,134 in Chicago, IL. Allen Park, MI has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Allen Park or Chicago?
Michigan's top income tax rate is 4.25% and Illinois's is 4.95%. Allen Park, MI has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Chicago to match my Allen Park income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology