Median rent is 23% lower in Louisville/Jefferson County ($1,069/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Louisville/Jefferson County, where the median home runs $221,500 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $64,731 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
How much would you need to earn in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY 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
Louisville/Jefferson County
Kentucky
👥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 Louisville/Jefferson County — median rent of $1,069/mo versus $1,380/mo in Chicago, a 23% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $221,500 in Louisville/Jefferson County — 30% 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 4.00% in Kentucky, so Louisville/Jefferson County is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.00% in Kentucky; Louisville/Jefferson County has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Louisville/Jefferson County
Income tax: 4.00%
Sales tax: 6.00%
Chicago has cleaner air on average: 21.0 AQI (Good) compared to 31.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Louisville/Jefferson County if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,069/mo median).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 21.0).
Pick Louisville/Jefferson County if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.00%).
Is Chicago cheaper than Louisville/Jefferson County?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Louisville/Jefferson County?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,069/mo in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY. Louisville/Jefferson County, KY has the lower rent by about 23%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Louisville/Jefferson County?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $64,731 in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY. 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?
Chicago, IL has better air quality on average: 21.0 AQI versus 31.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Chicago or Louisville/Jefferson County?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and Kentucky's is 4.00%. Louisville/Jefferson County, KY has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Louisville/Jefferson County 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