Median rent is 14% lower in Chicago ($1,440/mo vs $1,676/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $334,100 versus $479,600. Households earn more in Tacoma ($85,884 vs $77,902 a year). Taken together, Chicago is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 112.7 — about 9% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Chicago is 9% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 102.5 in Chicago vs 112.7 in Tacoma (US national average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Tacoma, WA
How much would you need to earn in Tacoma, WA to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in Tacoma, WA
$82,497
You'd need $7,497 more (10% higher).
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
Tacoma
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: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Median rent is modestly lower in Chicago at $1,440/mo compared to $1,676/mo in Tacoma (14% gap). Home buyers face a steeper market in Tacoma: the median home is $479,600 versus $334,100 in Chicago — 30% more expensive.
Metric
Chicago
Tacoma
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
Tacoma
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Chicago has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 54.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 102.5 vs 112.7).
Pick Tacoma if you prioritize higher median household income ($85,884/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,440/mo median).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Chicago is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 112.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 9% lower in Chicago.
Median rent is $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,676/mo in Tacoma, WA. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 14%.
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago, IL and $85,884 in Tacoma, WA. Tacoma, WA 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 54.0 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 $109,996 in Tacoma, WA (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
