Median rent is 25% lower in West Seneca ($1,040/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in West Seneca, where the median home runs $215,000 versus $315,200. Households earn more in West Seneca ($75,465 vs $75,134 a year).
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
West Seneca, NY
How much would you need to earn in West Seneca, NY 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 Seneca
New York
👥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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in West Seneca — median rent of $1,040/mo versus $1,380/mo in Chicago, a 25% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $215,000 in West Seneca — 32% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 10.90% in New York, so Chicago is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 4.00% in New York; West Seneca has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
West Seneca
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for West Seneca.
Pick West Seneca if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,040/mo median).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Chicago cheaper than West Seneca?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Chicago vs West Seneca?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,040/mo in West Seneca, NY. West Seneca, NY has the lower rent by about 25%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or West Seneca?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $75,465 in West Seneca, NY. West Seneca, NY 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 Seneca?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and New York's is 10.90%. Chicago, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in West Seneca 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