City Comparison · 2026
Lowell vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Lowell = $112k in Chicago
Metric
Lowell
Chicago
COL Index
✓1.23
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,700/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,150/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
MA
IL
$100k Take-Home
$73,736
✓$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
26.26%
✓26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$53,336
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Lowell MA | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,248 $3,937/mo · 21.25% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,736 $6,145/mo · 26.26% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $105,778 $8,815/mo · 29.48% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lowell or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Lowell has a cost-of-living index of 1.23 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Lowell is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Lowell is $1,700/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Lowell?
$100k in Lowell = $112k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 12.2%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Lowell or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,736 in MA (Lowell) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $53,336 in Lowell vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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