Median rent is 47% lower in Chicago ($1,380/mo vs $2,616/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $315,200 versus $876,300. Households earn more in Lake Forest ($131,378 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Lake Forest, CA
How much would you need to earn in Lake Forest, CA 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
Lake Forest
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 — median rent of $1,380/mo versus $2,616/mo in Lake Forest, a 47% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Lake Forest: the median home is $876,300 versus $315,200 in Chicago — 64% 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 is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 7.25% in California; Chicago has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Lake Forest
Income tax: 13.30%
Sales tax: 7.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Lake Forest.
Pick Lake Forest if you prioritize higher median household income ($131,378/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,380/mo median).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Chicago cheaper than Lake Forest?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Lake Forest?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $2,616/mo in Lake Forest, CA. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 47%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Lake Forest?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $131,378 in Lake Forest, CA. Lake Forest, 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 or Lake Forest?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and California's is 13.30%. Chicago, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Lake Forest 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