Chicago vs New York City
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Chicago, IL and New York City, NY.
Chicago, IL
COL Index
107
Monthly Budget
$5,350
State Tax
5.0%
Population
2.7M
New York City, NY
COL Index
187
Monthly Budget
$9,350
State Tax
10.9%
Population
8.3M
Chicago is 75% less expensive than New York City
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Chicago | New York City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,823 | $3,803 | -$1,980 |
| Groceries | $686 | $1,102 | -$416 |
| Transport | $850 | $1,426 | -$576 |
| Healthcare | $420 | $644 | -$224 |
| Utilities | $321 | $561 | -$240 |
| Other | $1,267 | $2,035 | -$768 |
| Total | $5,350 | $9,350 | -$4,000 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Chicago (IL) | New York City (NY) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $4,950 | $5,714 | -$764 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $25,770 | $26,534 | -$764 |
| Take-Home Pay | $74,230 | $73,466 | +$764 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Chicago salary is worth in New York City (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Chicago Salary | Equivalent in New York City | New York City Salary | Equivalent in Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $87,383 | $50,000 | $28,610 |
| $75,000 | $131,075 | $75,000 | $42,914 |
| $100,000 | $174,766 | $100,000 | $57,219 |
| $150,000 | $262,150 | $150,000 | $85,829 |