Median rent is 23% lower in New Bern ($1,068/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in New Bern, where the median home runs $211,500 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $56,893 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
New Bern, NC
How much would you need to earn in New Bern, NC 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
New Bern
North Carolina
👥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 New Bern — median rent of $1,068/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 $211,500 in New Bern — 33% 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 4.50% in North Carolina, so New Bern is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 4.75% in North Carolina; New Bern has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
New Bern
Income tax: 4.50%
Sales tax: 4.75%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for New Bern.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick New Bern if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,068/mo median).
Pick New Bern if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.50%).
Is Chicago cheaper than New Bern?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs New Bern?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,068/mo in New Bern, NC. New Bern, NC has the lower rent by about 23%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or New Bern?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $56,893 in New Bern, NC. 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Chicago or New Bern?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and North Carolina's is 4.50%. New Bern, NC has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in New Bern 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