Median rent is 26% lower in Chicago ($1,440/mo vs $1,954/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $334,100 versus $737,100. Households earn more in Washington ($109,870 vs $77,902 a year). Taken together, Chicago is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 109.5 — about 6% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Washington, DC.
Cost of living verdict
Chicago is 6% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 102.5 in Chicago vs 109.5 in Washington (US national average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Washington, DC
How much would you need to earn in Washington, DC to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in Washington, DC
$80,164
You'd need $5,164 more (7% 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
Washington
District of Columbia
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Chicago — median rent of $1,440/mo versus $1,954/mo in Washington, a 26% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Washington: the median home is $737,100 versus $334,100 in Chicago — 55% more expensive.
Metric
Chicago
Washington
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
Washington
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Washington has cleaner air on average: 24.0 AQI (Good) compared to 31.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 102.5 vs 109.5).
Pick Washington if you prioritize higher median household income ($109,870/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,440/mo median).
Pick Washington if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 24.0).
Chicago is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 109.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 6% lower in Chicago.
Median rent is $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,954/mo in Washington, DC. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 26%.
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago, IL and $109,870 in Washington, DC. Washington, DC has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Washington, DC has better air quality on average: 24.0 AQI versus 31.0 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 $106,886 in Washington, DC (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
