Los Angeles is about 10% more expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $109,625 in Los Angeles.
Chicago vs Los Angeles: the numbers
| Metric | Chicago | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (US=100) | 104 | 114 | +10% |
| Median rent | $1,380 | $1,879 | +36% |
| Median home value | $315,200 | $879,500 | +179% |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $80,366 | +7% |
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 Chicago has the same buying power as about $109,625 in Los Angeles. Going the other way, $100,000 in Los Angeles is like $91,220 in Chicago.
Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Chicago and Los Angeles.