City Comparison · 2026
Durham vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Durham = $122k in Chicago
Metric
Durham
Chicago
COL Index
✓1.13
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,500/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,880/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
NC
IL
$100k Take-Home
✓$74,236
$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
✓25.76%
26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$56,236
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Durham NC | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,548 $3,962/mo · 20.75% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $74,236 $6,186/mo · 25.76% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $106,528 $8,877/mo · 28.98% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Durham or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Durham has a cost-of-living index of 1.13 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Durham is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Durham is $1,500/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Durham?
$100k in Durham = $122k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 22.1%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Durham or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $74,236 in NC (Durham) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $56,236 in Durham vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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