City Comparison · 2026
Chicago vs Denver
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Chicago = $101k in Denver
Metric
Chicago
Denver
COL Index
✓1.38
1.39
1BR Monthly Rent
$2,000/mo
✓$1,900/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$2,600/mo
✓$2,400/mo
State Income Tax
IL
CO
$100k Take-Home
$73,786
✓$74,336
$100k Effective Rate
26.21%
✓25.66%
$100k Savings Potential
$49,786
✓$51,536
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Chicago IL | Denver CO |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. | $47,608 $3,967/mo · 20.65% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. | $74,336 $6,195/mo · 25.66% eff. |
| $150,000 | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. | $106,678 $8,890/mo · 28.88% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or Denver cheaper to live in?
Chicago has a cost-of-living index of 1.38 while Denver is 1.39 (1.00 = US average). Chicago is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Chicago is $2,000/month vs $1,900/month in Denver.
How much more do you need to earn in Denver vs Chicago?
$100k in Chicago = $101k in Denver. Cost of living in Denver is higher by 0.7%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Chicago or Denver?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,786 in IL (Chicago) and $74,336 in CO (Denver). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $49,786 in Chicago vs $51,536 in Denver.
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