Median rent is 29% lower in Hickory ($975/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Hickory, where the median home runs $248,300 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $63,361 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Hickory, NC
How much would you need to earn in Hickory, NC to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, 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
Illinois
Hickory
North Carolina
👥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 Hickory — median rent of $975/mo versus $1,380/mo in Chicago, a 29% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $248,300 in Hickory — 21% 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 4.50% in North Carolina, so Hickory is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 4.75% in North Carolina; Hickory has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Hickory
Income tax: 4.50%
Sales tax: 4.75%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Hickory.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Hickory if you prioritize cheaper rent ($975/mo median).
Pick Hickory if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.50%).
Is Chicago cheaper than Hickory?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Hickory?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $975/mo in Hickory, NC. Hickory, NC has the lower rent by about 29%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Hickory?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $63,361 in Hickory, NC. 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 — Chicago or Hickory?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and North Carolina's is 4.50%. Hickory, NC has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Hickory to match my Chicago 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