Skip to content

Los Angeles vs Chicago

Chicago runs about 9% cheaper than Los Angeles for this household, a difference of 425 USD a month.

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
View of Chicago from Willis Tower
Chicago
$4,234/month · United States
Andrew Horne · CC BY 2.0
Los Angeles monthly
$4,659
Index 73 (NYC = 100)
Chicago monthly
$4,234
Index 66 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-9%
Chicago relative to Los Angeles
Rent gap
$279
Los Angeles costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

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

MetricLos AngelesChicago
Cost
Total monthly cost4,659 USD4,234 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)7366✓
Housing2,507 USD2,228 USD✓
Utilities239 USD221 USD✓
Food849 USD788 USD✓
Transport186 USD154 USD✓
Healthcare537 USD525 USD✓
Lifestyle182 USD170 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,978 USD6,228 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate28.3%25.3%✓
Left over each month1,319 USD1,993 USD✓
Average local net salary4,600 USD✓4,400 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,507 USD2,228 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre4,714 USD4,244 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre9,500 USD4,500 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety48/10052/100✓
Healthcare82/10084/100✓
Air quality45/10062/100✓
Public transport48/10078/100✓
Walkability55/10080/100✓
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife88/10088/100
Family friendliness62/10066/100✓
Median broadband230 Mbps✓210 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature18°C10°C✓
Summer high29°C29°C
Winter low9°C✓-8°C
Sunshine hours per year3,250 h✓2,500 h
Annual rainfall380 mm✓990 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access30 min15 min✓
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/Los_AngelesAmerica/Chicago

Chicago runs about 9% cheaper than Los Angeles for this household, a difference of 425 USD a month.

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in Los AngelesCost of living in ChicagoConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Los Angeles vs MiamiLos Angeles vs SeattleLos Angeles vs Vancouver
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Los Angeles or Chicago cheaper?

Chicago runs about 9% cheaper than Los Angeles for this household, a difference of 425 USD a month.

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

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

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

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