City Comparison · 2026
Phoenix vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Phoenix = $123k in Chicago
Metric
Phoenix
Chicago
COL Index
✓1.12
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,450/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,820/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
✓$58,836
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Phoenix 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 Phoenix or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Phoenix has a cost-of-living index of 1.12 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Phoenix is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Phoenix is $1,450/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Phoenix?
$100k in Phoenix = $123k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 23.2%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Phoenix or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $76,236 in AZ (Phoenix) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $58,836 in Phoenix vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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