Chicago is about 4% less expensive than Boston overall — $100,000 in Boston is worth about $95,686 in Chicago.
Boston vs Chicago: the numbers
| Metric | Boston | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (US=100) | 108 | 104 | -4% |
| Median rent | $2,093 | $1,380 | -34% |
| Median home value | $710,400 | $315,200 | -56% |
| Median household income | $94,755 | $75,134 | -21% |
Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.
What your salary is worth
A $100,000 salary in Boston has the same buying power as about $95,686 in Chicago. Going the other way, $100,000 in Chicago is like $104,509 in Boston.
Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Boston and Chicago.