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