Median rent is 33% lower in Minot ($928/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Minot, where the median home runs $254,400 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Minot ($77,431 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Minot, ND
How much would you need to earn in Minot, ND 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
Minot
North Dakota
👥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 Minot — median rent of $928/mo versus $1,380/mo in Chicago, a 33% difference. Median home values are within 19% of each other: $315,200 in Chicago and $254,400 in Minot.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 2.50% in North Dakota, so Minot is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 5.00% in North Dakota; Minot has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Minot
Income tax: 2.50%
Sales tax: 5.00%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Minot.
Pick Minot if you prioritize cheaper rent ($928/mo median).
Pick Minot if you prioritize lower state income tax (2.50%).
Is Chicago cheaper than Minot?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Minot?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $928/mo in Minot, ND. Minot, ND has the lower rent by about 33%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Minot?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $77,431 in Minot, ND. Minot, ND 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 Minot?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and North Dakota's is 2.50%. Minot, ND has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Minot 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