Updated November 7, 2026 · 2026 tax rules · Data: IRS, BLS, BEA, HUD · How we calculate

Cost of Living in Chicago, IL

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.

Salary comparison calculator

What would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?

How expensive is Chicago, IL?

With a price level of 103.6 (U.S. average = 100), Chicago, IL is more expensive than average. In detail, housing costs run 12% above average; everyday goods run 7% above average; utilities are 16% below average; other services such as healthcare and dining cost about the same as the national average. The biggest difference from the national average is in utilities.

Prices in Chicago, IL vs. the U.S. average

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.

Rent in Chicago, IL

HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.

Salary needed to live in Chicago, IL

To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:

Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Illinois 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.

A monthly budget on the median wage

A single worker earning Chicago, IL's median wage of $54,720 takes home about $3,632 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $1,534, which is 42% of take-home pay — well above the 30% guideline, so many workers here share housing or rent smaller units. That leaves about $2,098 a month for everything else.

Take-home pay in Chicago, IL

Highest-paying jobs in Chicago, IL

*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.

Chicago, IL vs. similar-size cities

Frequently asked questions

Top salaries by field in Chicago, IL

Management Occupations

• Chief Executive — $239,200+
• Computer and Information Systems Manager — $173,760
• Financial Manager — $168,810
• Marketing Manager — $165,340
• Architectural and Engineering Manager — $163,430
• Sales Manager — $158,690
• Human Resources Manager — $156,770
• Purchasing Manager — $155,080

Business and Financial Operations Occupations

• Personal Financial Advisor — $113,210
• Financial Risk Specialist — $105,370
• Project Management Specialist — $105,320
• Management Analyst — $105,090
• Labor Relations Specialist — $103,570
• Financial and Investment Analyst — $101,750
• Insurance Underwriter — $99,840
• Financial Examiner — $98,470

Computer and Mathematical Occupations

• Computer Network Architect — $143,800
• Software Developer — $134,380
• Information Security Analyst — $125,310
• Data Scientist — $107,640
• Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester — $105,580
• Computer Systems Analyst — $103,490
• Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $103,170
• Computer Occupations, All Other — $101,660

Architecture and Engineering Occupations

• Electrical Engineer — $113,520
• Mechanical Engineer — $102,070
• Industrial Engineer — $101,760
• Civil Engineer — $100,160
• Architects, Except Landscape and Naval — $81,790

Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations

• Chemist — $90,920
• School Psychologist — $90,620
• Clinical and Counseling Psychologist — $85,390
• Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $83,240

Community and Social Service Occupations

• Healthcare Social Worker — $71,430
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $64,790
• Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $64,730
• Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $61,600
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker — $57,720
• Rehabilitation Counselor — $49,350
• Social and Human Service Assistant — $47,180

Legal Occupations

• Lawyer — $165,660
• Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $70,550

Educational Instruction and Library Occupations

• Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary — $101,010
• Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $98,970
• Business Teachers, Postsecondary — $93,670
• Special Education Teachers, Secondary School — $82,350
• Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary — $80,440
• Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School — $79,690
• Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $78,390
• Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $78,000

Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations

• Art Director — $104,570
• Producer and Director — $85,040
• Editor — $80,380
• Public Relations Specialist — $77,050
• Graphic Designer — $66,490
• Audio and Video Technician — $63,780
• Coach and Scout — $50,350
• Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $40,250

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations

• Dentists, General — $156,100
• Pharmacist — $140,880
• Nurse Practitioner — $131,740
• Physician Assistant — $127,940
• Physical Therapist — $105,720
• Registered Nurse — $100,490
• Dental Hygienist — $100,260
• Occupational Therapist — $99,860

Healthcare Support Occupations

• Physical Therapist Assistant — $72,230
• Massage Therapist — $61,200
• Dental Assistant — $48,950
• Medical Assistant — $47,270
• Phlebotomist — $47,190
• Nursing Assistant — $46,940
• Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $38,180

Protective Service Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives — $135,080
• First-Line Supervisor of Firefighting and Prevention Workers — $126,200
• Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $107,810
• Correctional Officer and Jailer — $84,550
• Firefighter — $82,820
• Security Guard — $39,990
• School Bus Monitor — $33,890
• Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers — $33,750

Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations

• Chef and Head Cook — $60,770
• First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $42,650
• Cooks, Restaurant — $38,930
• Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $38,290
• Dishwasher — $36,850
• Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $35,670
• Food Preparation Worker — $35,410
• Cooks, Fast Food — $35,360

Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations

• First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers — $52,470
• First-Line Supervisor of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers — $51,280
• Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $45,280
• Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $38,470
• Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $37,310

Personal Care and Service Occupations

• First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $48,390
• Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $47,680
• Skincare Specialist — $45,330
• Childcare Worker — $36,610
• Animal Caretaker — $36,110
• Recreation Worker — $35,830
• Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $35,000
• Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $34,260

Sales and Related Occupations

• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $112,150
• Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $100,760
• First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $91,070
• Advertising Sales Agent — $75,590
• Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $75,350
• Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $70,710
• Insurance Sales Agent — $69,240
• Real Estate Sales Agent — $61,790

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

• Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $77,770
• First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $71,730
• Public Safety Telecommunicator — $66,980
• Postal Service Mail Carrier — $63,750
• Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk — $62,920
• Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $59,900
• Cargo and Freight Agent — $59,850
• Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant — $59,490

Construction and Extraction Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $111,260
• Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $103,380
• Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $103,100
• Electrician — $102,350
• Sheet Metal Worker — $95,310
• Roofer — $82,090
• Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $81,020
• Carpenter — $80,440

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $85,420
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $77,960
• Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $75,800
• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines — $74,090
• Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers — $69,820
• Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist — $65,680
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $58,020
• Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other — $56,900

Production Occupations

• First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $76,500
• Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender — $61,250
• Tool and Die Maker — $61,180
• Machinist — $59,520
• Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $59,020
• Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $52,650
• Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $50,770
• Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — $50,230

Transportation and Material Moving Occupations

• Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers — $239,200+
• Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector — $77,470
• First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $68,330
• Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity — $65,200
• Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $62,300
• Flight Attendant — $62,120
• Bus Drivers, School — $49,180
• Light Truck Driver — $47,950

Other cities in Illinois

• Peoria, IL
• Rockford, IL
• Champaign, IL
• Springfield, IL
• Bloomington, IL
• Decatur, IL
• Kankakee, IL

Illinois paycheck calculator →