Median rent is 19% lower in North Augusta ($1,169/mo vs $1,440/mo). Buying is cheaper in North Augusta, where the median home runs $233,600 versus $334,100. Households earn more in North Augusta ($86,092 vs $77,902 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
North Augusta, SC
How much would you need to earn in North Augusta, SC 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
North Augusta
South 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
Median rent is modestly lower in North Augusta at $1,169/mo compared to $1,440/mo in Chicago (19% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $334,100 versus $233,600 in North Augusta — 30% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
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
North Augusta
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for North Augusta.
Pick North Augusta if you prioritize higher median household income ($86,092/yr).
Pick North Augusta if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,169/mo median).
Is Chicago cheaper than North Augusta?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs North Augusta?
Median rent is $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,169/mo in North Augusta, SC. North Augusta, SC has the lower rent by about 19%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or North Augusta?
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago, IL and $86,092 in North Augusta, SC. North Augusta, SC 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 North Augusta?
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
What salary do I need in North Augusta to match my Chicago income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
