Median rent is 45% lower in Chicago Heights ($1,035/mo vs $1,879/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago Heights, where the median home runs $149,900 versus $879,500. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($80,366 vs $57,479 a year).
City A
Chicago Heights, IL
City B
Los Angeles, CA
How much would you need to earn in Los Angeles, CA to maintain your standard of living from Chicago Heights, 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
Chicago Heights
Illinois
Los Angeles
California
👥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 Chicago Heights — median rent of $1,035/mo versus $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, a 45% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $879,500 versus $149,900 in Chicago Heights — 83% 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 13.30% in California, so Chicago Heights is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 7.25% in California; Chicago Heights has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago Heights
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Los Angeles
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for Los Angeles (avg AQI 77.0) but not yet for Chicago Heights.
Pick Los Angeles if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,366/yr).
Pick Chicago Heights if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,035/mo median).
Pick Chicago Heights if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Chicago Heights cheaper than Los Angeles?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago Heights vs Los Angeles?
Median rent is $1,035/mo in Chicago Heights, IL and $1,879/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Chicago Heights, IL has the lower rent by about 45%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago Heights or Los Angeles?
Median household income is $57,479 in Chicago Heights, IL and $80,366 in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles, CA 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 — Chicago Heights or Los Angeles?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and California's is 13.30%. Chicago Heights, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match my Chicago Heights 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