Median rent is 32% lower in Anderson ($975/mo vs $1,440/mo). Buying is cheaper in Anderson, where the median home runs $218,200 versus $334,100. Households earn more in Chicago ($77,902 vs $46,933 a year). Taken together, Anderson is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 96.6 against 102.5 — about 6% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Chicago, IL.
Cost of living verdict
Anderson is 6% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 96.6 in Anderson vs 102.5 in Chicago (US national average = 100)
City A
Anderson, SC
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Anderson, SC?
Equivalent salary in Chicago, IL
$79,534
You'd need $4,534 more (6% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Anderson
South Carolina
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Anderson — median rent of $975/mo versus $1,440/mo in Chicago, a 32% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $334,100 versus $218,200 in Anderson — 35% more expensive.
Metric
Anderson
Chicago
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Anderson
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Chicago
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for Anderson.
Pick Anderson if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 96.6 vs 102.5).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($77,902/yr).
Pick Anderson if you prioritize cheaper rent ($975/mo median).
Anderson is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 96.6 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 6% lower in Anderson.
Median rent is $975/mo in Anderson, SC and $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL. Anderson, SC has the lower rent by about 32%.
Median household income is $46,933 in Anderson, SC and $77,902 in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Anderson, SC is equivalent to roughly $106,046 in Chicago, IL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
