Median rent is 1% lower in Chicago ($1,380/mo vs $1,397/mo). Buying is cheaper in Oak Creek, where the median home runs $305,100 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Oak Creek ($93,120 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Oak Creek, WI
How much would you need to earn in Oak Creek, WI 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
Oak Creek
Wisconsin
👥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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,380/mo in Chicago and $1,397/mo in Oak Creek. Median home values are within 3% of each other: $315,200 in Chicago and $305,100 in Oak Creek.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 7.65% in Wisconsin, so Chicago is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 5.00% in Wisconsin; Oak Creek has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Oak Creek
Income tax: 7.65%
Sales tax: 5.00%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Oak Creek.
Pick Oak Creek if you prioritize higher median household income ($93,120/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Chicago cheaper than Oak Creek?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Oak Creek?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,397/mo in Oak Creek, WI. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 1%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Oak Creek?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $93,120 in Oak Creek, WI. Oak Creek, WI 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 Oak Creek?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and Wisconsin's is 7.65%. Chicago, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Oak Creek 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