City Comparison · 2026
Pittsburgh vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Pittsburgh = $128k in Chicago
Metric
Pittsburgh
Chicago
COL Index
✓1.08
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,300/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,620/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
PA
IL
$100k Take-Home
✓$75,666
$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
✓24.33%
26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$60,066
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Pittsburgh PA | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $48,406 $4,034/mo · 19.32% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $75,666 $6,306/mo · 24.33% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $108,673 $9,056/mo · 27.55% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pittsburgh or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Pittsburgh has a cost-of-living index of 1.08 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Pittsburgh is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Pittsburgh is $1,300/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Pittsburgh?
$100k in Pittsburgh = $128k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 27.8%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Pittsburgh or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $75,666 in PA (Pittsburgh) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $60,066 in Pittsburgh vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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