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Chicago vs Vancouver

Vancouver runs about 16% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 694 USD a month.

View of Chicago from Willis Tower
Chicago
$4,234/month · United States
Andrew Horne · CC BY 2.0
Downtown Eastside, Vancouver during coronavirus pandemic
Vancouver
$3,541/month · Canada
GoToVan from Vancouver, Canada · CC BY 2.0
Chicago monthly
$4,234
Index 66 (NYC = 100)
Vancouver monthly
$3,541
Index 55 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-16%
Vancouver relative to Chicago
Rent gap
$128
Chicago costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

ChicagoVancouver
  • Housing
    Housing: Chicago $2,228, Vancouver $2,100. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Food
    Food: Chicago $788, Vancouver $774. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Transport
    Transport: Chicago $154, Vancouver $162. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Chicago $221, Vancouver $221. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Chicago $525, Vancouver $9.20. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Chicago $170, Vancouver $168. Cheaper in Vancouver.
  • Other
    Other: Chicago $149, Vancouver $107. Cheaper in Vancouver.
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

MetricChicagoVancouver
Cost
Total monthly cost4,234 USD3,541 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)6655✓
Housing2,228 USD2,100 USD✓
Utilities221 USD221 USD
Food788 USD774 USD✓
Transport154 USD✓162 USD
Healthcare525 USD9 USD✓
Lifestyle170 USD168 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,228 USD✓6,088 USD
Effective tax + social rate25.3%✓26.9%
Left over each month1,993 USD2,547 USD✓
Average local net salary4,400 USD✓3,300 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,228 USD2,100 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre4,244 USD3,700 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre4,500 USD✓10,500 USD
Quality of life
Safety52/10074/100✓
Healthcare84/10084/100
Air quality62/10084/100✓
Public transport78/100✓70/100
Walkability80/100✓76/100
English proficiency100/100✓96/100
Nightlife88/100✓72/100
Family friendliness66/10082/100✓
Median broadband210 Mbps210 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature10°C✓11°C
Summer high29°C23°C✓
Winter low-8°C1°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h✓1,930 h
Annual rainfall990 mm✓1190 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access15 min15 min
CurrencyUSDCAD
Time zoneAmerica/ChicagoAmerica/Vancouver

Vancouver runs about 16% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 694 USD a month.

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Cost of living in ChicagoCost of living in VancouverConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Chicago or Vancouver cheaper?

Vancouver runs about 16% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 694 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Vancouver compared with Chicago?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,228 a month in Chicago and $6,088 in Vancouver, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Chicago or Vancouver?

Chicago scores 52/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; Vancouver scores 74 and 84. Chicago averages 10°C against 11°C in Vancouver.