Chicago vs Los Angeles
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Chicago, IL and Los Angeles, CA.
Chicago, IL
COL Index
107
Monthly Budget
$5,350
State Tax
5.0%
Population
2.7M
Los Angeles, CA
COL Index
166
Monthly Budget
$8,300
State Tax
12.3%
Population
4.0M
Chicago is 55% less expensive than Los Angeles
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Chicago | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,823 | $3,283 | -$1,460 |
| Groceries | $686 | $993 | -$307 |
| Transport | $850 | $1,275 | -$425 |
| Healthcare | $420 | $585 | -$165 |
| Utilities | $321 | $498 | -$177 |
| Other | $1,267 | $1,834 | -$567 |
| Total | $5,350 | $8,300 | -$2,950 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Chicago (IL) | Los Angeles (CA) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $4,950 | $5,953 | -$1,003 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $25,770 | $26,773 | -$1,003 |
| Take-Home Pay | $74,230 | $73,227 | +$1,003 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Chicago salary is worth in Los Angeles (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Chicago Salary | Equivalent in Los Angeles | Los Angeles Salary | Equivalent in Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $77,570 | $50,000 | $32,229 |
| $75,000 | $116,355 | $75,000 | $48,343 |
| $100,000 | $155,140 | $100,000 | $64,458 |
| $150,000 | $232,710 | $150,000 | $96,687 |