Median rent is 2% lower in Chicago ($1,380/mo vs $1,411/mo). Buying is cheaper in West Little River, where the median home runs $293,400 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $51,834 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
West Little River, FL
How much would you need to earn in West Little River, FL 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
West Little River
Florida
👥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 rents are similar in both cities: $1,380/mo in Chicago and $1,411/mo in West Little River. Median home values are within 7% of each other: $315,200 in Chicago and $293,400 in West Little River.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Florida has no state income tax, while Illinois tops out at 4.95% — giving West Little River a clear advantage for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.00% in Florida; West Little River has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
West Little River
Income tax: None
Sales tax: 6.00%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for West Little River.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick West Little River if you prioritize no state income tax.
Is Chicago cheaper than West Little River?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs West Little River?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,411/mo in West Little River, FL. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 2%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or West Little River?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $51,834 in West Little River, FL. 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?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Chicago or West Little River?
Florida has no state income tax. Illinois has a top rate of 4.95%.
What salary do I need in West Little River 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