Median rent is 25% lower in Ames ($1,040/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Ames, where the median home runs $263,800 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $60,102 a year).
City A
Ames, IA
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Ames, IA?
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
Ames
Iowa
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Ames — median rent of $1,040/mo versus $1,380/mo in Chicago, a 25% difference. Median home values are within 16% of each other: $263,800 in Ames and $315,200 in Chicago.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Iowa's top income tax rate is 5.70% versus 4.95% in Illinois, so Chicago is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.00% in Iowa and 6.25% in Illinois; Ames has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Ames
Income tax: 5.70%
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 Ames.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Ames if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,040/mo median).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Ames cheaper than Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Ames vs Chicago?
Median rent is $1,040/mo in Ames, IA and $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL. Ames, IA has the lower rent by about 25%.
Which has higher salaries — Ames or Chicago?
Median household income is $60,102 in Ames, IA and $75,134 in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL 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 — Ames or Chicago?
Iowa's top income tax rate is 5.70% and Illinois's is 4.95%. Chicago, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Chicago to match my Ames 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