City Comparison · 2026
Lansing vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Lansing = $157k in Chicago
Metric
Lansing
Chicago
COL Index
✓0.88
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,000/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,250/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
MI
IL
$100k Take-Home
✓$74,486
$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
✓25.51%
26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$62,486
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Lansing MI | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,698 $3,975/mo · 20.5% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $74,486 $6,207/mo · 25.51% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $106,903 $8,909/mo · 28.73% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lansing or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Lansing has a cost-of-living index of 0.88 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Lansing is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Lansing is $1,000/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Lansing?
$100k in Lansing = $157k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 56.8%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Lansing or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $74,486 in MI (Lansing) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $62,486 in Lansing vs $49,786 in Chicago.
More City Comparisons
California Salary GuideTexas Salary GuideLansing vs New York City cost of livingLansing vs Los Angeles cost of livingLansing vs Chicago cost of livingCost of living in LansingCost of living in New York CityCost of living in Los AngelesSoftware Engineer salary in LansingRegistered Nurse salary in LansingWhere does $100k rank nationally?