Median rent is 7% lower in Oak Forest ($1,287/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Oak Forest, where the median home runs $247,800 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Oak Forest ($87,941 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Oak Forest, IL
How much would you need to earn in Oak Forest, IL 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 Forest
Illinois
👥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 Oak Forest at $1,287/mo compared to $1,380/mo in Chicago (7% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $247,800 in Oak Forest — 21% 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 4.95% in Illinois, so Oak Forest is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.25% in Illinois; Oak Forest has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Oak Forest
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Oak Forest.
Pick Oak Forest if you prioritize higher median household income ($87,941/yr).
Is Chicago cheaper than Oak Forest?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Oak Forest?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,287/mo in Oak Forest, IL. Oak Forest, IL has the lower rent by about 7%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Oak Forest?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $87,941 in Oak Forest, IL. Oak Forest, 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 Oak Forest?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and Illinois's is 4.95%. Oak Forest, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Oak Forest 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