Quick answer
Raleigh is 13% cheaper than Chicago overall. A $100K salary in Raleigh is equivalent to $113,000 in Chicago.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Raleigh 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
Raleigh is 13% cheaper
1BR rent difference
+25% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$113,000
Raleigh vs Chicago: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$1,480/mo
$1,850/mo
+25%
2BR median rent
$1,860/mo
$2,350/mo
+26%
Median home price
$420K
$340K
-19%
Avg monthly groceries
$350
$390
+11%
Avg monthly utilities
$145
$155
+7%
State income tax
4.5%
4.95%
Raleigh saves
Walk score
34/100
78/100
Chicago better
Transit score
25/100
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 Raleigh salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$68,000
$53,000
$80,000
$91,000
$71,000
$100,000
$113,000
$88,000
$120,000
$136,000
$106,000
$150,000
$170,000
$133,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Raleigh vs Chicago
Who Each City Is Best For
Raleigh is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓biotech / pharma professionals
- ✓researchers
- ✓young families
Chicago is best for
- ✓urban explorers
- ✓foodies
- ✓architecture lovers
- ✓transit users
FAQs
Is Raleigh or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Raleigh is 13% cheaper than Chicago overall. Raleigh 1BR rent ($1,480/mo) vs Chicago ($1,850/mo). Median home price: Raleigh $420K vs Chicago $340K.
How much salary do I need in Chicago to match $100K in Raleigh?
$113,000 in Chicago is equivalent to $100,000 in Raleigh based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (+25% difference) and state taxes (Raleigh: 4.5% vs Chicago: 4.95%).
What is the rent difference between Raleigh and Chicago?
1BR: Raleigh $1,480/mo vs Chicago $1,850/mo (+25%). 2BR: Raleigh $1,860/mo vs Chicago $2,350/mo (+26%).
Does Raleigh or Chicago have lower taxes?
Raleigh (NC) has 4.5% state income tax. Chicago (IL) has 4.95% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$450.