Median rent is 17% lower in Spokane ($1,141/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $315,200 versus $326,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $65,745 a year). Taken together, Spokane is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 92.5 against 105.7 — about 13% lower overall prices.
Quick verdict
Spokane is 13% cheaper overall
Cost index: 92.5 in Spokane vs 105.7 in Chicago (US average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Spokane, WA
How much would you need to earn in Spokane, WA to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in Spokane, WA
$65,602
You could earn $9,398 less (13% lower) and break even.
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
Spokane
Washington
👥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 Spokane at $1,141/mo compared to $1,380/mo in Chicago (17% gap). Median home values are within 3% of each other: $315,200 in Chicago and $326,200 in Spokane.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Washington has no state income tax, while Illinois tops out at 4.95% — giving Spokane a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.50% in Washington; Chicago has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Spokane
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.50%
Spokane has cleaner air on average: 19.0 AQI (Good) compared to 21.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Spokane if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 92.5 vs 105.7).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Spokane if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,141/mo median).
Pick Spokane if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Chicago cheaper than Spokane?
Spokane is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 92.5 versus 105.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 13% lower in Spokane.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Spokane?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,141/mo in Spokane, WA. Spokane, WA has the lower rent by about 17%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Spokane?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $65,745 in Spokane, WA. 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?
Spokane, WA has better air quality on average: 19.0 AQI versus 21.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Chicago or Spokane?
Washington has no state income tax. Illinois has a top rate of 4.95%.
What salary do I need in Spokane to match my Chicago income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chicago, IL is equivalent to roughly $87,470 in Spokane, WA (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology