Median rent is 3% lower in Catalina Foothills ($1,332/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $315,200 versus $604,100. Households earn more in Catalina Foothills ($113,201 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Catalina Foothills, AZ
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Catalina Foothills, AZ?
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
Catalina Foothills
Arizona
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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,332/mo in Catalina Foothills and $1,380/mo in Chicago. Home buyers face a steeper market in Catalina Foothills: the median home is $604,100 versus $315,200 in Chicago — 48% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Arizona's top income tax rate is 2.50% versus 4.95% in Illinois, so Catalina Foothills is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 5.60% in Arizona and 6.25% in Illinois; Catalina Foothills has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Catalina Foothills
Income tax: 2.50%
Sales tax: 5.60%
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Catalina Foothills.
Pick Catalina Foothills if you prioritize higher median household income ($113,201/yr).
Pick Catalina Foothills if you prioritize lower state income tax (2.50%).
Is Catalina Foothills cheaper than Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Catalina Foothills vs Chicago?
Median rent is $1,332/mo in Catalina Foothills, AZ and $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL. Catalina Foothills, AZ has the lower rent by about 3%.
Which has higher salaries — Catalina Foothills or Chicago?
Median household income is $113,201 in Catalina Foothills, AZ and $75,134 in Chicago, IL. Catalina Foothills, AZ 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 — Catalina Foothills or Chicago?
Arizona's top income tax rate is 2.50% and Illinois's is 4.95%. Catalina Foothills, AZ has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Chicago to match my Catalina Foothills 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