City Comparison · 2026
Mesa vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Mesa = $127k in Chicago
Metric
Mesa
Chicago
COL Index
✓1.09
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,400/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,750/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
AZ
IL
$100k Take-Home
✓$76,236
$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
✓23.76%
26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$59,436
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Mesa AZ | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $48,748 $4,062/mo · 18.75% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $76,236 $6,353/mo · 23.76% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $109,528 $9,127/mo · 26.98% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mesa or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Mesa has a cost-of-living index of 1.09 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Mesa is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Mesa is $1,400/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Mesa?
$100k in Mesa = $127k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 26.6%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Mesa or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $76,236 in AZ (Mesa) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $59,436 in Mesa vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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