Median rent is 27% lower in Benton ($1,003/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Benton, where the median home runs $199,400 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $69,638 a year).
City A
Benton, AR
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Benton, AR?
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
Benton
Arkansas
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 Benton — median rent of $1,003/mo versus $1,380/mo in Chicago, a 27% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $199,400 in Benton — 37% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Arkansas's top income tax rate is 4.40% versus 4.95% in Illinois, so Benton is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.50% in Arkansas and 6.25% in Illinois; Chicago has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Benton
Income tax: 4.40%
Sales tax: 6.50%
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Benton.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Benton if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,003/mo median).
Pick Benton if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.40%).
Is Benton cheaper than Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Benton vs Chicago?
Median rent is $1,003/mo in Benton, AR and $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL. Benton, AR has the lower rent by about 27%.
Which has higher salaries — Benton or Chicago?
Median household income is $69,638 in Benton, AR 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 — Benton or Chicago?
Arkansas's top income tax rate is 4.40% and Illinois's is 4.95%. Benton, AR has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Chicago to match my Benton 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