Median rent is 23% lower in West Chicago ($1,376/mo vs $1,779/mo). Buying is cheaper in West Chicago, where the median home runs $306,500 versus $751,700. Households earn more in West Chicago ($100,568 vs $79,713 a year).
City A
New York, NY
City B
West Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in West 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
West 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 West Chicago — median rent of $1,376/mo versus $1,779/mo in New York, a 23% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $751,700 versus $306,500 in West Chicago — 59% 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 West 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%
West 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 West Chicago.
Pick West Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($100,568/yr).
Pick West Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,376/mo median).
Pick West Chicago if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is New York cheaper than West Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in New York vs West Chicago?
Median rent is $1,779/mo in New York, NY and $1,376/mo in West Chicago, IL. West Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 23%.
Which has higher salaries — New York or West Chicago?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York, NY and $100,568 in West Chicago, IL. West 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 — New York or West Chicago?
New York's top income tax rate is 10.90% and Illinois's is 4.95%. West Chicago, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in West 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