City Comparison · 2026
Louisville vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Louisville = $145k in Chicago
Metric
Louisville
Chicago
COL Index
✓0.95
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,150/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,440/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
✓$60,936
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Louisville 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 Louisville or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Louisville has a cost-of-living index of 0.95 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Louisville is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Louisville is $1,150/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Louisville?
$100k in Louisville = $145k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 45.3%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Louisville or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $74,736 in KY (Louisville) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $60,936 in Louisville vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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