City Comparison · 2026
Lakewood vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Lakewood = $108k in Chicago
Metric
Lakewood
Chicago
COL Index
✓1.28
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,800/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,250/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
CO
IL
$100k Take-Home
✓$74,336
$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
✓25.66%
26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$52,736
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Lakewood CO | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,608 $3,967/mo · 20.65% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $74,336 $6,195/mo · 25.66% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $106,678 $8,890/mo · 28.88% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lakewood or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Lakewood has a cost-of-living index of 1.28 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Lakewood is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Lakewood is $1,800/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Lakewood?
$100k in Lakewood = $108k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 7.8%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Lakewood or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $74,336 in CO (Lakewood) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $52,736 in Lakewood vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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