Median rent is 10% lower in Broken Arrow ($1,240/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Broken Arrow, where the median home runs $229,300 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Broken Arrow ($85,220 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Broken Arrow, OK
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Broken Arrow, OK?
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
Broken Arrow
Oklahoma
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 Broken Arrow at $1,240/mo compared to $1,380/mo in Chicago (10% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $229,300 in Broken Arrow — 27% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Oklahoma's top income tax rate is 4.75% versus 4.95% in Illinois, so Broken Arrow is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.50% in Oklahoma and 6.25% in Illinois; Broken Arrow has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Broken Arrow
Income tax: 4.75%
Sales tax: 4.50%
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Broken Arrow.
Pick Broken Arrow if you prioritize higher median household income ($85,220/yr).
Pick Broken Arrow if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.75%).
Is Broken Arrow cheaper than Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Broken Arrow vs Chicago?
Median rent is $1,240/mo in Broken Arrow, OK and $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL. Broken Arrow, OK has the lower rent by about 10%.
Which has higher salaries — Broken Arrow or Chicago?
Median household income is $85,220 in Broken Arrow, OK and $75,134 in Chicago, IL. Broken Arrow, OK 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 — Broken Arrow or Chicago?
Oklahoma's top income tax rate is 4.75% and Illinois's is 4.95%. Broken Arrow, OK has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Chicago to match my Broken Arrow 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