Los Angeles vs Chicago
Cost of Living (2026)

Chicago is 34% more affordable than Los Angeles.

Enter your salary → get exact comparison

At a glance

Los Angeles, CA

COL index163
State income tax9.3%
Avg 1BR rent$2,600/mo
Median home price$850K
VS

Chicago, IL

COL index107 ✓
State income tax4.95% ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo ✓
Median home price$330K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryLos Angeles indexChicago indexDifference
Housing215139 ✓-76%
Groceries153101 ✓-52%
Transportation151102 ✓-49%
Healthcare157104 ✓-53%
Utilities145101 ✓-44%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Los Angeles → Chicago

What salary in Chicago gives you the same purchasing power as your Los Angeles salary?

Salary in Los AngelesEquivalent in ChicagoDifference
$60,000$37,000$-23,000
$80,000$49,000$-31,000
$100,000$61,000$-39,000
$130,000$80,000$-50,000
$150,000$92,000$-58,000
$200,000$123,000$-77,000

Los Angeles vs Chicago: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Los Angeles, CA and Chicago, IL, Chicago comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 107 versus 163 for Los Angeles — a difference of approximately 34%.

State income tax impact

Los Angeles workers pay 9.3% California state income tax, while Chicago workers pay 4.95%.

Housing costs

The median home price in Los Angeles is $850,000, compared to $330,000 in Chicago. Average 1-bedroom rent is $2,600/month in Los Angeles versus $1,650/month in Chicago.

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