Seattle is about 7% more expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $107,276 in Seattle.
Chicago vs Seattle: the numbers
| Metric | Chicago | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (US=100) | 104 | 111 | +7% |
| Median rent | $1,380 | $1,998 | +45% |
| Median home value | $315,200 | $912,100 | +189% |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $121,984 | +62% |
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 $107,276 in Seattle. Going the other way, $100,000 in Seattle is like $93,217 in Chicago.
Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Chicago and Seattle.