Cost of Living: Chicago vs Washington (2026)

Chicago vs Washington cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. Washington is about 5% more expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $105,105 in Washington.

Washington is about 5% more expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $105,105 in Washington.

Chicago vs Washington: the numbers

MetricChicagoWashingtonDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)104109+5%
Median rent$1,380$1,900+38%
Median home value$315,200$724,600+130%
Median household income$75,134$106,287+41%

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 $105,105 in Washington. Going the other way, $100,000 in Washington is like $95,143 in Chicago.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Chicago and Washington.

Compare any salary: Chicago vs Washington

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Washington is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 109 vs 104 — a 5% difference. Your money goes further in Chicago.

About $105,105 — that's what you'd need in Washington to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Chicago.