Median rent is 2% lower in Chicago ($1,380/mo vs $1,415/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $315,200 versus $339,500. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $67,544 a year). Taken together, Worcester is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 96.0 against 105.7 — about 9% lower overall prices.
Quick verdict
Worcester is 9% cheaper overall
Cost index: 96.0 in Worcester vs 105.7 in Chicago (US average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Worcester, MA
How much would you need to earn in Worcester, MA to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$68,121
You could earn $6,879 less (9% 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
Worcester
Massachusetts
👥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 $1,415/mo in Worcester. Median home values are within 7% of each other: $315,200 in Chicago and $339,500 in Worcester.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% versus 9.00% in Massachusetts, so Chicago is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 6.25% in Illinois and 6.25% in Massachusetts; Worcester has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Worcester
Income tax: 9.00%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Chicago has cleaner air on average: 21.0 AQI (Good) compared to 32.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Worcester if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 96.0 vs 105.7).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 21.0).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Chicago cheaper than Worcester?
Worcester is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 96.0 versus 105.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 9% lower in Worcester.
How much is rent in Chicago vs Worcester?
Median rent is $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,415/mo in Worcester, MA. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 2%.
Which has higher salaries — Chicago or Worcester?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago, IL and $67,544 in Worcester, MA. 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?
Chicago, IL has better air quality on average: 21.0 AQI versus 32.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
Which has lower taxes — Chicago or Worcester?
Illinois's top income tax rate is 4.95% and Massachusetts's is 9.00%. Chicago, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Worcester to match my Chicago income?
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chicago, IL is equivalent to roughly $90,827 in Worcester, MA (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