City Comparison · 2026
Chicago vs New York City
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Chicago = $154k in New York City
Metric
Chicago
New York City
COL Index
✓1.38
2.13
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,000/mo
$3,500/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,600/mo
$4,500/mo
State Income Tax
IL
NY
$100k Take-Home
✓$73,786
$73,522
$100k Effective Rate
✓26.21%
26.48%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$49,786
$31,522
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Chicago IL | New York City NY |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. | $47,420 $3,952/mo · 20.97% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. | $73,522 $6,127/mo · 26.48% eff. |
| $150,000 | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. | $104,939 $8,745/mo · 30.04% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or New York City cheaper to live in?
Chicago has a cost-of-living index of 1.38 while New York City is 2.13 (1.00 = US average). Chicago is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Chicago is $2,000/month vs $3,500/month in New York City.
How much more do you need to earn in New York City vs Chicago?
$100k in Chicago = $154k in New York City. Cost of living in New York City is higher by 54.3%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Chicago or New York City?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,786 in IL (Chicago) and $73,522 in NY (New York City). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $49,786 in Chicago vs $31,522 in New York City.
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