Median rent is 26% lower in Chicago ($1,440/mo vs $1,933/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $334,100 versus $921,200. Households earn more in Los Angeles ($81,939 vs $77,902 a year). Taken together, Chicago is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 114.7 — about 11% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Chicago, IL.
Cost of living verdict
Chicago is 11% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 102.5 in Chicago vs 114.7 in Los Angeles (US national average = 100)
City A
Chicago, 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, IL?
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles, CA
$83,974
You'd need $8,974 more (12% higher).
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Chicago
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Chicago — median rent of $1,440/mo versus $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, a 26% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Los Angeles: the median home is $921,200 versus $334,100 in Chicago — 64% more expensive.
Metric
Chicago
Los Angeles
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Chicago
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Los Angeles
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Both cities have similar air quality: Chicago averages 31.0 AQI (Good) and Los Angeles averages 31.0 AQI (Good).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 102.5 vs 114.7).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,440/mo median).
Chicago is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 11% lower in Chicago.
Median rent is $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,933/mo in Los Angeles, CA. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 26%.
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago, IL and $81,939 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.
Los Angeles, CA has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 31.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chicago, IL is equivalent to roughly $111,966 in Los Angeles, CA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
