Skip to content

London vs Chicago

London runs about 5% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 184 USD a month.

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
View of Chicago from Willis Tower
Chicago
$4,234/month · United States
Andrew Horne · CC BY 2.0
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Chicago monthly
$4,234
Index 66 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+5%
Chicago relative to London
Rent gap
$372
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

LondonChicago
  • Housing
    Housing: London $2,600, Chicago $2,228. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Food
    Food: London $617, Chicago $788. Cheaper in London.
  • Transport
    Transport: London $282, Chicago $154. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: London $267, Chicago $221. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: London $8.03, Chicago $525. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: London $169, Chicago $170. Cheaper in London.
  • Other
    Other: London $107, Chicago $149. 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

MetricLondonChicago
Cost
Total monthly cost4,050 USD✓4,234 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)63✓66
Housing2,600 USD2,228 USD✓
Utilities267 USD221 USD✓
Food617 USD✓788 USD
Transport282 USD154 USD✓
Healthcare8 USD✓525 USD
Lifestyle169 USD✓170 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,953 USD6,228 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate28.6%25.3%✓
Left over each month1,902 USD1,993 USD✓
Average local net salary3,600 USD4,400 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,600 USD2,228 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre5,200 USD4,244 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre15,000 USD4,500 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety66/100✓52/100
Healthcare84/10084/100
Air quality60/10062/100✓
Public transport92/100✓78/100
Walkability90/100✓80/100
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife94/100✓88/100
Family friendliness72/100✓66/100
Median broadband90 Mbps210 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature12°C10°C✓
Summer high23°C✓29°C
Winter low3°C✓-8°C
Sunshine hours per year1,480 h2,500 h✓
Annual rainfall600 mm✓990 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access90 min15 min✓
CurrencyGBPUSD
Time zoneEurope/LondonAmerica/Chicago

London runs about 5% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 184 USD a month.

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in LondonCost of living in ChicagoConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
London vs DublinLondon vs ZurichLondon vs Amsterdam
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is London or Chicago cheaper?

London runs about 5% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 184 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Chicago compared with London?

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

Which has better quality of life, London or Chicago?

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