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Chicago vs Seattle

Chicago and Seattle cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

View of Chicago from Willis Tower
Chicago
$4,234/month · United States
Andrew Horne · CC BY 2.0
The Seattle skyline at dusk as viewed from the Jose Rizal Bridge. In the foreground is the Interstate 5 in Washington.
Seattle
$4,162/month · United States
Dllu · CC BY-SA 4.0
Chicago monthly
$4,234
Index 66 (NYC = 100)
Seattle monthly
$4,162
Index 65 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-2%
Seattle relative to Chicago
Rent gap
$208
Chicago costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

ChicagoSeattle
  • Housing
    Housing: Chicago $2,228, Seattle $2,020. Cheaper in Seattle.
  • Food
    Food: Chicago $788, Seattle $849. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Transport
    Transport: Chicago $154, Seattle $189. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Chicago $221, Seattle $227. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Chicago $525, Seattle $537. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Chicago $170, Seattle $181. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Other
    Other: Chicago $149, Seattle $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

MetricChicagoSeattle
Cost
Total monthly cost4,234 USD4,162 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)6665✓
Housing2,228 USD2,020 USD✓
Utilities221 USD✓227 USD
Food788 USD✓849 USD
Transport154 USD✓189 USD
Healthcare525 USD✓537 USD
Lifestyle170 USD✓181 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,228 USD6,575 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate25.3%21.1%✓
Left over each month1,993 USD2,413 USD✓
Average local net salary4,400 USD5,800 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,228 USD2,020 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre4,244 USD3,856 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre4,500 USD✓8,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety52/10058/100✓
Healthcare84/10086/100✓
Air quality62/10078/100✓
Public transport78/100✓68/100
Walkability80/100✓74/100
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife88/100✓76/100
Family friendliness66/10070/100✓
Median broadband210 Mbps260 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature10°C✓12°C
Summer high29°C26°C✓
Winter low-8°C2°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h✓2,170 h
Annual rainfall990 mm950 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access15 min✓25 min
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/ChicagoAmerica/Los_Angeles

Chicago and Seattle cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Chicago or Seattle cheaper?

Chicago and Seattle cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

What salary do you need in Seattle compared with Chicago?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,228 a month in Chicago and $6,575 in Seattle, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Chicago or Seattle?

Chicago scores 52/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Seattle scores 58 and 86. Chicago averages 10°C against 12°C in Seattle.