Median rent is 22% lower in North Chicago ($1,392/mo vs $1,779/mo). Buying is cheaper in North Chicago, where the median home runs $147,800 versus $751,700. Households earn more in New York ($79,713 vs $56,815 a year).
City A
New York, NY
City B
North Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in North Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from New York, NY?
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
New York
New York
North Chicago
Illinois
👥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 North Chicago — median rent of $1,392/mo versus $1,779/mo in New York, a 22% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $751,700 versus $147,800 in North Chicago — 80% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
New York's top income tax rate is 10.90% versus 4.95% in Illinois, so North Chicago is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 4.00% in New York and 6.25% in Illinois; New York has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
New York
Income tax: 10.90%
Sales tax: 4.00%
North Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for New York (avg AQI 61.0) but not yet for North Chicago.
Pick New York if you prioritize higher median household income ($79,713/yr).
Pick North Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,392/mo median).
Pick North Chicago if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is New York cheaper than North Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in New York vs North Chicago?
Median rent is $1,779/mo in New York, NY and $1,392/mo in North Chicago, IL. North Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 22%.
Which has higher salaries — New York or North Chicago?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York, NY and $56,815 in North Chicago, IL. New York, 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 — New York or North Chicago?
New York's top income tax rate is 10.90% and Illinois's is 4.95%. North Chicago, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in North Chicago to match my New York 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