City Comparison · 2026
Mount Pleasant vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Mount Pleasant = $105k in Chicago
Metric
Mount Pleasant
Chicago
COL Index
✓1.31
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,850/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,350/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
SC
IL
$100k Take-Home
$72,336
✓$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
27.66%
✓26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$50,136
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Mount Pleasant SC | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $46,408 $3,867/mo · 22.65% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $72,336 $6,028/mo · 27.66% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $103,678 $8,640/mo · 30.88% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mount Pleasant or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Mount Pleasant has a cost-of-living index of 1.31 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Mount Pleasant is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Mount Pleasant is $1,850/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Mount Pleasant?
$100k in Mount Pleasant = $105k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 5.3%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Mount Pleasant or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $72,336 in SC (Mount Pleasant) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $50,136 in Mount Pleasant vs $49,786 in Chicago.
More City Comparisons
California Salary GuideTexas Salary GuideMount Pleasant vs New York City cost of livingMount Pleasant vs Los Angeles cost of livingMount Pleasant vs Chicago cost of livingCost of living in Mount PleasantCost of living in New York CityCost of living in Los AngelesSoftware Engineer salary in Mount PleasantRegistered Nurse salary in Mount PleasantWhere does $100k rank nationally?