Median rent is 30% lower in Casper ($964/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Casper, where the median home runs $250,700 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $69,171 a year).
City A
Casper, WY
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Casper, WY?
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
Casper
Wyoming
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 Casper — median rent of $964/mo versus $1,380/mo in Chicago, a 30% difference. Median home values are within 20% of each other: $250,700 in Casper and $315,200 in Chicago.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Wyoming has no state income tax, while Illinois tops out at 4.95% — giving Casper a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in Wyoming and 6.25% in Illinois; Casper has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Casper
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 4.00%
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Casper.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Casper if you prioritize cheaper rent ($964/mo median).
Pick Casper if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Casper cheaper than Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Casper vs Chicago?
Median rent is $964/mo in Casper, WY and $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL. Casper, WY has the lower rent by about 30%.
Which has higher salaries — Casper or Chicago?
Median household income is $69,171 in Casper, WY 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 — Casper or Chicago?
Wyoming has no state income tax. Illinois has a top rate of 4.95%.
What salary do I need in Chicago to match my Casper 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