Quick answer
Denver is 1% cheaper than Chicago overall. A $100K salary in Denver is equivalent to $101,000 in Chicago.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Denver vs Chicago Cost of Living (2026)
Side-by-side cost comparison plus a salary calculator to find your equivalent pay in either city.
Overall COL difference
Denver is 1% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+6% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$101,000
Denver vs Chicago: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,740/mo
$1,850/mo
+6%
2BR median rent
$2,250/mo
$2,350/mo
+4%
Median home price
$565K
$340K
-40%
Avg monthly groceries
$370
$390
+5%
Avg monthly utilities
$145
$155
+7%
State income tax
4.4%
4.95%
Denver saves
Walk score
61/100
78/100
Chicago better
Transit score
44/100
65/100
Chicago better
Salary Equivalency Calculator
How much you need to earn in Chicago to maintain the same standard of living as your current Denver salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$61,000
$59,000
$80,000
$81,000
$79,000
$100,000
$101,000
$99,000
$120,000
$121,000
$119,000
$150,000
$151,000
$149,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Denver vs Chicago
Who Each City Is Best For
Denver is best for
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓skiers
- ✓tech workers
- ✓craft beer lovers
Chicago is best for
- ✓urban explorers
- ✓foodies
- ✓architecture lovers
- ✓transit users
FAQs
Is Denver or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Denver is 1% cheaper than Chicago overall. Denver 1BR rent ($1,740/mo) vs Chicago ($1,850/mo). Median home price: Denver $565K vs Chicago $340K.
How much salary do I need in Chicago to match $100K in Denver?
$101,000 in Chicago is equivalent to $100,000 in Denver based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+6% difference) and state taxes (Denver: 4.4% vs Chicago: 4.95%).
What is the rent difference between Denver and Chicago?
1BR: Denver $1,740/mo vs Chicago $1,850/mo (+6%). 2BR: Denver $2,250/mo vs Chicago $2,350/mo (+4%).
Does Denver or Chicago have lower taxes?
Denver (CO) has 4.4% state income tax. Chicago (IL) has 4.95% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$550.