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