City Comparison · 2026
Lexington vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Lexington = $148k in Chicago
Metric
Lexington
Chicago
COL Index
✓0.93
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,100/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,380/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
KY
IL
$100k Take-Home
✓$74,736
$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
✓25.26%
26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$61,536
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Lexington KY | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,848 $3,987/mo · 20.25% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $74,736 $6,228/mo · 25.26% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $107,278 $8,940/mo · 28.48% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lexington or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Lexington has a cost-of-living index of 0.93 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Lexington is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Lexington is $1,100/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Lexington?
$100k in Lexington = $148k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 48.4%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Lexington or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $74,736 in KY (Lexington) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $61,536 in Lexington vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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