Median rent is 18% lower in Carol Stream ($1,465/mo vs $1,779/mo). Buying is cheaper in Carol Stream, where the median home runs $308,700 versus $751,700. Households earn more in Carol Stream ($105,395 vs $79,713 a year).
City A
Carol Stream, IL
City B
New York, NY
How much would you need to earn in New York, NY to maintain your standard of living from Carol Stream, IL?
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
Carol Stream
Illinois
New York
New York
👥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 Carol Stream at $1,465/mo compared to $1,779/mo in New York (18% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $751,700 versus $308,700 in Carol Stream — 59% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 10.90% in New York, so Carol Stream is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 4.00% in New York; New York has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Carol Stream
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 61.0) but not yet for Carol Stream.
Pick Carol Stream if you prioritize higher median household income ($105,395/yr).
Pick Carol Stream if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,465/mo median).
Pick Carol Stream if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Carol Stream cheaper than New York?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Carol Stream vs New York?
Median rent is $1,465/mo in Carol Stream, IL and $1,779/mo in New York, NY. Carol Stream, IL has the lower rent by about 18%.
Which has higher salaries — Carol Stream or New York?
Median household income is $105,395 in Carol Stream, IL and $79,713 in New York, NY. Carol Stream, 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 — Carol Stream or New York?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and New York's is 10.90%. Carol Stream, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in New York to match my Carol Stream 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