Chicago vs Columbus
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Chicago, IL and Columbus, OH.
Chicago, IL
COL Index
107
Monthly Budget
$5,350
State Tax
5.0%
Population
2.7M
Columbus, OH
COL Index
93
Monthly Budget
$4,650
State Tax
3.5%
Population
0.9M
Chicago is 15% more expensive than Columbus
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Chicago | Columbus | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,823 | $1,477 | +$346 |
| Groceries | $686 | $614 | +$72 |
| Transport | $850 | $750 | +$100 |
| Healthcare | $420 | $380 | +$40 |
| Utilities | $321 | $279 | +$42 |
| Other | $1,267 | $1,133 | +$134 |
| Total | $5,350 | $4,650 | +$700 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Chicago (IL) | Columbus (OH) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $4,950 | $2,045 | +$2,905 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $25,770 | $22,865 | +$2,905 |
| Take-Home Pay | $74,230 | $77,135 | -$2,905 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Chicago salary is worth in Columbus (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Chicago Salary | Equivalent in Columbus | Columbus Salary | Equivalent in Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $43,458 | $50,000 | $57,527 |
| $75,000 | $65,187 | $75,000 | $86,290 |
| $100,000 | $86,916 | $100,000 | $115,054 |
| $150,000 | $130,374 | $150,000 | $172,581 |