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