City Comparison · 2026
New York City vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in New York City = $65k in Chicago
Metric
New York City
Chicago
COL Index
2.13
✓1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
$3,500/mo
✓$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$4,500/mo
✓$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
NY
IL
$100k Take-Home
$73,522
✓$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
26.48%
✓26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
$31,522
✓$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | New York City NY | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,420 $3,952/mo · 20.97% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,522 $6,127/mo · 26.48% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $104,939 $8,745/mo · 30.04% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City or Chicago cheaper to live in?
New York City has a cost-of-living index of 2.13 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Chicago is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in New York City is $3,500/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in New York City vs Chicago?
$100k in New York City = $65k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is lower by 35.2%.
Which city has better after-tax income — New York City or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,522 in NY (New York City) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $31,522 in New York City vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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