Median rent is 44% lower in Jefferson City ($766/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Jefferson City, where the median home runs $208,000 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $67,205 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Jefferson City, MO
How much would you need to earn in Jefferson City, MO 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
Jefferson City
Missouri
👥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 Jefferson City — median rent of $766/mo versus $1,380/mo in Chicago, a 44% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $208,000 in Jefferson City — 34% 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 4.80% in Missouri, so Jefferson City is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 4.22% in Missouri; Jefferson City has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Jefferson City
Income tax: 4.80%
Sales tax: 4.22%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Jefferson City.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Jefferson City if you prioritize cheaper rent ($766/mo median).
Pick Jefferson City if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.80%).
Is Chicago cheaper than Jefferson City?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Jefferson City?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $766/mo in Jefferson City, MO. Jefferson City, MO has the lower rent by about 44%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Jefferson City?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $67,205 in Jefferson City, MO. 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 Jefferson City?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and Missouri's is 4.80%. Jefferson City, MO has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Jefferson City 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