Median rent is 2% lower in Salt Lake City ($1,414/mo vs $1,440/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $334,100 versus $539,500. Households earn more in Chicago ($77,902 vs $75,090 a year). Taken together, Salt Lake City is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 97.1 against 102.5 — about 5% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Salt Lake City is 5% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 97.1 in Salt Lake City vs 102.5 in Chicago (US national average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Salt Lake City, UT
How much would you need to earn in Salt Lake City, UT to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in Salt Lake City, UT
$71,091
You could earn $3,909 less (5% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Chicago
Illinois
Salt Lake City
Utah
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,440/mo in Chicago and $1,414/mo in Salt Lake City. Home buyers face a steeper market in Salt Lake City: the median home is $539,500 versus $334,100 in Chicago — 38% more expensive.
Metric
Chicago
Salt Lake City
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · 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
Salt Lake City
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Chicago has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 41.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Salt Lake City if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 97.1 vs 102.5).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Salt Lake City is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 97.1 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 5% lower in Salt Lake City.
Median rent is $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,414/mo in Salt Lake City, UT. Salt Lake City, UT has the lower rent by about 2%.
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago, IL and $75,090 in Salt Lake City, UT. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Chicago, IL has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 41.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chicago, IL is equivalent to roughly $94,789 in Salt Lake City, UT (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
