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Chicago vs London

London runs about 4% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 184 USD a month.

View of Chicago from Willis Tower
Chicago
$4,234/month · United States
Andrew Horne · CC BY 2.0
Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge as seen from the south bank of the River Thames.
London
$4,050/month · United Kingdom
Terry Ott from Washington, DC Metro Area, United States of America · CC BY 2.0
Chicago monthly
$4,234
Index 66 (NYC = 100)
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-4%
London relative to Chicago
Rent gap
$372
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

ChicagoLondon
  • Housing
    Housing: Chicago $2,228, London $2,600. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Food
    Food: Chicago $788, London $617. Cheaper in London.
  • Transport
    Transport: Chicago $154, London $282. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Chicago $221, London $267. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Chicago $525, London $8.03. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Chicago $170, London $169. Cheaper in London.
  • Other
    Other: Chicago $149, London $107. Cheaper in London.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricChicagoLondon
Cost
Total monthly cost4,234 USD4,050 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)6663✓
Housing2,228 USD✓2,600 USD
Utilities221 USD✓267 USD
Food788 USD617 USD✓
Transport154 USD✓282 USD
Healthcare525 USD8 USD✓
Lifestyle170 USD169 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,228 USD✓5,953 USD
Effective tax + social rate25.3%✓28.6%
Left over each month1,993 USD✓1,902 USD
Average local net salary4,400 USD✓3,600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,228 USD✓2,600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre4,244 USD✓5,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre4,500 USD✓15,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety52/10066/100✓
Healthcare84/10084/100
Air quality62/100✓60/100
Public transport78/10092/100✓
Walkability80/10090/100✓
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife88/10094/100✓
Family friendliness66/10072/100✓
Median broadband210 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature10°C✓12°C
Summer high29°C23°C✓
Winter low-8°C3°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h✓1,480 h
Annual rainfall990 mm600 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access15 min✓90 min
CurrencyUSDGBP
Time zoneAmerica/ChicagoEurope/London

London runs about 4% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 184 USD a month.

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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Chicago or London cheaper?

London runs about 4% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 184 USD a month.

What salary do you need in London compared with Chicago?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,228 a month in Chicago and $5,953 in London, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Chicago or London?

Chicago scores 52/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; London scores 66 and 84. Chicago averages 10°C against 12°C in London.