Median rent is 23% lower in Chicago ($1,380/mo vs $1,784/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $315,200 versus $514,800. Households earn more in Apex ($138,442 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Apex, NC
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Apex, NC?
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
Apex
North 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: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Chicago — median rent of $1,380/mo versus $1,784/mo in Apex, a 23% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Apex: the median home is $514,800 versus $315,200 in Chicago — 39% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
North Carolina's top income tax rate is 4.50% versus 4.95% in Illinois, so Apex is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.75% in North Carolina and 6.25% in Illinois; Apex has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Apex
Income tax: 4.50%
Sales tax: 4.75%
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Apex.
Pick Apex if you prioritize higher median household income ($138,442/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,380/mo median).
Pick Apex if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.50%).
Is Apex cheaper than Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Apex vs Chicago?
Median rent is $1,784/mo in Apex, NC and $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 23%.
Which has higher salaries — Apex or Chicago?
Median household income is $138,442 in Apex, NC and $75,134 in Chicago, IL. Apex, NC 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 — Apex or Chicago?
North Carolina's top income tax rate is 4.50% and Illinois's is 4.95%. Apex, NC has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Chicago to match my Apex 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