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Chicago vs New York

Chicago runs about 51% cheaper than New York for this household, a difference of 2,148 USD a month.

View of Chicago from Willis Tower
Chicago
$4,234/month · United States
Andrew Horne · CC BY 2.0
The New York Stock Exchange in 2022, as seen from a vantage point inside the main trading hall.
New York
$6,382/month · United States
Tobias Deml · CC BY-SA 4.0
Chicago monthly
$4,234
Index 66 (NYC = 100)
New York monthly
$6,382
Index 100 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+51%
New York relative to Chicago
Rent gap
$1,848
New York costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

ChicagoNew York
  • Housing
    Housing: Chicago $2,228, New York $4,076. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Food
    Food: Chicago $788, New York $910. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Transport
    Transport: Chicago $154, New York $211. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Chicago $221, New York $232. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Chicago $525, New York $559. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Chicago $170, New York $223. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Other
    Other: Chicago $149, New York $171. 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

MetricChicagoNew York
Cost
Total monthly cost4,234 USD✓6,382 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)66✓100
Housing2,228 USD✓4,076 USD
Utilities221 USD✓232 USD
Food788 USD✓910 USD
Transport154 USD✓211 USD
Healthcare525 USD✓559 USD
Lifestyle170 USD✓223 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,228 USD✓5,887 USD
Effective tax + social rate25.3%✓29.4%
Left over each month1,993 USD✓-495 USD
Average local net salary4,400 USD5,400 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,228 USD✓4,076 USD
3-bed rent, city centre4,244 USD✓7,873 USD
Buy price per m², centre4,500 USD✓16,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety52/10058/100✓
Healthcare84/100✓82/100
Air quality62/10062/100
Public transport78/10088/100✓
Walkability80/10092/100✓
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife88/10096/100✓
Family friendliness66/100✓62/100
Median broadband210 Mbps220 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature10°C✓13°C
Summer high29°C29°C
Winter low-8°C-3°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h2,535 h✓
Annual rainfall990 mm✓1200 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access15 min✓45 min
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/ChicagoAmerica/New_York

Chicago runs about 51% cheaper than New York for this household, a difference of 2,148 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in ChicagoCost of living in New YorkConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Chicago vs SeattleChicago vs Los AngelesChicago vs Vancouver
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Chicago or New York cheaper?

Chicago runs about 51% cheaper than New York for this household, a difference of 2,148 USD a month.

What salary do you need in New York compared with Chicago?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,228 a month in Chicago and $5,887 in New York, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Chicago or New York?

Chicago scores 52/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; New York scores 58 and 82. Chicago averages 10°C against 13°C in New York.