Quick answer
Seattle is 17% cheaper than Chicago overall. A $100K salary in Seattle is equivalent to $117,000 in Chicago.
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Seattle 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
Seattle is 17% cheaper
1BR rent difference
-12% (B vs A)
$100K in A = in B
$117,000
Seattle vs Chicago: Side-by-Side
1BR median rent
$2,100/mo
$1,850/mo
-12%
2BR median rent
$2,750/mo
$2,350/mo
-15%
Median home price
$780K
$340K
-56%
Avg monthly groceries
$430
$390
-9%
Avg monthly utilities
$130
$155
+19%
State income tax
None
4.95%
Seattle saves
Walk score
74/100
78/100
Chicago better
Transit score
59/100
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 Seattle salary — and vice versa.
$60,000
$70,000
$51,000
$80,000
$94,000
$68,000
$100,000
$117,000
$85,000
$120,000
$140,000
$103,000
$150,000
$176,000
$128,000
Calculated using a weighted index: rent (40%), home prices (20%), groceries (20%), utilities (10%), state income tax (10%). Individual lifestyles vary.
Monthly Budget: Seattle vs Chicago
Who Each City Is Best For
Seattle is best for
- ✓tech workers
- ✓outdoor enthusiasts
- ✓high earners
- ✓coffee aficionados
Chicago is best for
- ✓urban explorers
- ✓foodies
- ✓architecture lovers
- ✓transit users
FAQs
Is Seattle or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Seattle is 17% cheaper than Chicago overall. Seattle 1BR rent ($2,100/mo) vs Chicago ($1,850/mo). Median home price: Seattle $780K vs Chicago $340K.
How much salary do I need in Chicago to match $100K in Seattle?
$117,000 in Chicago is equivalent to $100,000 in Seattle based on cost of living differences. The biggest factors are rent (-12% difference) and state taxes (Seattle: None vs Chicago: 4.95%).
What is the rent difference between Seattle and Chicago?
1BR: Seattle $2,100/mo vs Chicago $1,850/mo (-12%). 2BR: Seattle $2,750/mo vs Chicago $2,350/mo (-15%).
Does Seattle or Chicago have lower taxes?
Seattle (WA) has None state income tax. Chicago (IL) has 4.95% state income tax. On a $100K salary, the annual tax difference is ~$4,950.