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Seattle vs Chicago

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

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
View of Chicago from Willis Tower
Chicago
$4,234/month · United States
Andrew Horne · CC BY 2.0
Seattle monthly
$4,162
Index 65 (NYC = 100)
Chicago monthly
$4,234
Index 66 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+2%
Chicago relative to Seattle
Rent gap
$208
Chicago costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

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

MetricSeattleChicago
Cost
Total monthly cost4,162 USD✓4,234 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)65✓66
Housing2,020 USD✓2,228 USD
Utilities227 USD221 USD✓
Food849 USD788 USD✓
Transport189 USD154 USD✓
Healthcare537 USD525 USD✓
Lifestyle181 USD170 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,575 USD✓6,228 USD
Effective tax + social rate21.1%✓25.3%
Left over each month2,413 USD✓1,993 USD
Average local net salary5,800 USD✓4,400 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,020 USD✓2,228 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,856 USD✓4,244 USD
Buy price per m², centre8,000 USD4,500 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety58/100✓52/100
Healthcare86/100✓84/100
Air quality78/100✓62/100
Public transport68/10078/100✓
Walkability74/10080/100✓
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife76/10088/100✓
Family friendliness70/100✓66/100
Median broadband260 Mbps✓210 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature12°C10°C✓
Summer high26°C✓29°C
Winter low2°C✓-8°C
Sunshine hours per year2,170 h2,500 h✓
Annual rainfall950 mm✓990 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access25 min15 min✓
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/Los_AngelesAmerica/Chicago

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

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Go deeper

Cost of living in SeattleCost of living in ChicagoConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Seattle vs VancouverSeattle vs TorontoSeattle vs Austin
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Seattle or Chicago cheaper?

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

What salary do you need in Chicago compared with Seattle?

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

Which has better quality of life, Seattle or Chicago?

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