Median rent is 12% lower in Blue Springs ($1,213/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Blue Springs, where the median home runs $241,500 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Blue Springs ($84,075 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Blue Springs, MO
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Blue Springs, MO?
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
Blue Springs
Missouri
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 Blue Springs at $1,213/mo compared to $1,380/mo in Chicago (12% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $241,500 in Blue Springs — 23% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Missouri's top income tax rate is 4.80% versus 4.95% in Illinois, so Blue Springs is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.22% in Missouri and 6.25% in Illinois; Blue Springs has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Blue Springs
Income tax: 4.80%
Sales tax: 4.22%
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Blue Springs.
Pick Blue Springs if you prioritize higher median household income ($84,075/yr).
Pick Blue Springs if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,213/mo median).
Pick Blue Springs if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.80%).
Is Blue Springs cheaper than Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Blue Springs vs Chicago?
Median rent is $1,213/mo in Blue Springs, MO and $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL. Blue Springs, MO has the lower rent by about 12%.
Which has higher salaries — Blue Springs or Chicago?
Median household income is $84,075 in Blue Springs, MO and $75,134 in Chicago, IL. Blue Springs, MO 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 — Blue Springs or Chicago?
Missouri's top income tax rate is 4.80% and Illinois's is 4.95%. Blue Springs, MO has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Chicago to match my Blue Springs 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