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Chicago vs Los Angeles

Chicago runs about 10% cheaper than Los Angeles for this household, a difference of 425 USD a month.

View of Chicago from Willis Tower
Chicago
$4,234/month · United States
Andrew Horne · CC BY 2.0
The Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles, as seen from a DJI Mavic 3.
Los Angeles
$4,659/month · United States
InvadingInvader · CC BY-SA 4.0
Chicago monthly
$4,234
Index 66 (NYC = 100)
Los Angeles monthly
$4,659
Index 73 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+10%
Los Angeles relative to Chicago
Rent gap
$279
Los Angeles costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

ChicagoLos Angeles
  • Housing
    Housing: Chicago $2,228, Los Angeles $2,507. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Food
    Food: Chicago $788, Los Angeles $849. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Transport
    Transport: Chicago $154, Los Angeles $186. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Chicago $221, Los Angeles $239. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Chicago $525, Los Angeles $537. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Chicago $170, Los Angeles $182. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Other
    Other: Chicago $149, Los Angeles $159. Cheaper in Chicago.
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

MetricChicagoLos Angeles
Cost
Total monthly cost4,234 USD✓4,659 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)66✓73
Housing2,228 USD✓2,507 USD
Utilities221 USD✓239 USD
Food788 USD✓849 USD
Transport154 USD✓186 USD
Healthcare525 USD✓537 USD
Lifestyle170 USD✓182 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,228 USD✓5,978 USD
Effective tax + social rate25.3%✓28.3%
Left over each month1,993 USD✓1,319 USD
Average local net salary4,400 USD4,600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,228 USD✓2,507 USD
3-bed rent, city centre4,244 USD✓4,714 USD
Buy price per m², centre4,500 USD✓9,500 USD
Quality of life
Safety52/100✓48/100
Healthcare84/100✓82/100
Air quality62/100✓45/100
Public transport78/100✓48/100
Walkability80/100✓55/100
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife88/10088/100
Family friendliness66/100✓62/100
Median broadband210 Mbps230 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature10°C✓18°C
Summer high29°C29°C
Winter low-8°C9°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h3,250 h✓
Annual rainfall990 mm380 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access15 min✓30 min
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/ChicagoAmerica/Los_Angeles

Chicago runs about 10% cheaper than Los Angeles for this household, a difference of 425 USD a month.

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Cost of living in ChicagoCost of living in Los AngelesConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Chicago vs SeattleChicago vs VancouverChicago vs Miami
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Chicago or Los Angeles cheaper?

Chicago runs about 10% cheaper than Los Angeles for this household, a difference of 425 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Los Angeles compared with Chicago?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,228 a month in Chicago and $5,978 in Los Angeles, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Chicago or Los Angeles?

Chicago scores 52/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Los Angeles scores 48 and 82. Chicago averages 10°C against 18°C in Los Angeles.