Median rent is 23% lower in Montgomery ($1,059/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Montgomery, where the median home runs $148,500 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $55,687 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Montgomery, AL
How much would you need to earn in Montgomery, AL 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
Montgomery
Alabama
👥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 Montgomery — median rent of $1,059/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 $148,500 in Montgomery — 53% 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 5.00% in Alabama, so Chicago is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 4.00% in Alabama; Montgomery has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Montgomery
Income tax: 5.00%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Chicago has cleaner air on average: 21.0 AQI (Good) compared to 55.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Montgomery if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,059/mo median).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 21.0).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Chicago cheaper than Montgomery?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Montgomery?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,059/mo in Montgomery, AL. Montgomery, AL has the lower rent by about 23%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Montgomery?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $55,687 in Montgomery, AL. 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 55.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Chicago or Montgomery?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and Alabama's is 5.00%. Chicago, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Montgomery 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