Skip to content

New York vs Chicago

Chicago runs about 34% cheaper than New York for this household, a difference of 2,148 USD a month.

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
View of Chicago from Willis Tower
Chicago
$4,234/month · United States
Andrew Horne · CC BY 2.0
New York monthly
$6,382
Index 100 (NYC = 100)
Chicago monthly
$4,234
Index 66 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-34%
Chicago relative to New York
Rent gap
$1,848
New York costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

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

MetricNew YorkChicago
Cost
Total monthly cost6,382 USD4,234 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)10066✓
Housing4,076 USD2,228 USD✓
Utilities232 USD221 USD✓
Food910 USD788 USD✓
Transport211 USD154 USD✓
Healthcare559 USD525 USD✓
Lifestyle223 USD170 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,887 USD6,228 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate29.4%25.3%✓
Left over each month-495 USD1,993 USD✓
Average local net salary5,400 USD✓4,400 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre4,076 USD2,228 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre7,873 USD4,244 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre16,000 USD4,500 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety58/100✓52/100
Healthcare82/10084/100✓
Air quality62/10062/100
Public transport88/100✓78/100
Walkability92/100✓80/100
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife96/100✓88/100
Family friendliness62/10066/100✓
Median broadband220 Mbps✓210 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature13°C10°C✓
Summer high29°C29°C
Winter low-3°C✓-8°C
Sunshine hours per year2,535 h✓2,500 h
Annual rainfall1200 mm990 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access45 min15 min✓
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/New_YorkAmerica/Chicago

Chicago runs about 34% cheaper than New York for this household, a difference of 2,148 USD a month.

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in New YorkCost of living in ChicagoConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
New York vs San FranciscoNew York vs MiamiNew York vs Los Angeles
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is New York or Chicago cheaper?

Chicago runs about 34% cheaper than New York for this household, a difference of 2,148 USD a month.

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

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

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

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