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Vancouver vs Chicago

Vancouver runs about 20% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 694 USD a month.

Downtown Eastside, Vancouver during coronavirus pandemic
Vancouver
$3,541/month · Canada
GoToVan from Vancouver, Canada · CC BY 2.0
View of Chicago from Willis Tower
Chicago
$4,234/month · United States
Andrew Horne · CC BY 2.0
Vancouver monthly
$3,541
Index 55 (NYC = 100)
Chicago monthly
$4,234
Index 66 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+20%
Chicago relative to Vancouver
Rent gap
$128
Chicago costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

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

MetricVancouverChicago
Cost
Total monthly cost3,541 USD✓4,234 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)55✓66
Housing2,100 USD✓2,228 USD
Utilities221 USD221 USD
Food774 USD✓788 USD
Transport162 USD154 USD✓
Healthcare9 USD✓525 USD
Lifestyle168 USD✓170 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,088 USD6,228 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate26.9%25.3%✓
Left over each month2,547 USD✓1,993 USD
Average local net salary3,300 USD4,400 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,100 USD✓2,228 USD
3-bed rent, city centre3,700 USD✓4,244 USD
Buy price per m², centre10,500 USD4,500 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety74/100✓52/100
Healthcare84/10084/100
Air quality84/100✓62/100
Public transport70/10078/100✓
Walkability76/10080/100✓
English proficiency96/100100/100✓
Nightlife72/10088/100✓
Family friendliness82/100✓66/100
Median broadband210 Mbps210 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature11°C10°C✓
Summer high23°C✓29°C
Winter low1°C✓-8°C
Sunshine hours per year1,930 h2,500 h✓
Annual rainfall1190 mm990 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access15 min15 min
CurrencyCADUSD
Time zoneAmerica/VancouverAmerica/Chicago

Vancouver runs about 20% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 694 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in VancouverCost of living in ChicagoConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Vancouver vs TorontoVancouver vs SeattleVancouver vs Los Angeles
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Vancouver or Chicago cheaper?

Vancouver runs about 20% cheaper than Chicago for this household, a difference of 694 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Chicago compared with Vancouver?

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

Which has better quality of life, Vancouver or Chicago?

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