City Comparison · 2026
Provo vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Provo = $128k in Chicago
Metric
Provo
Chicago
COL Index
✓1.08
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,400/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,750/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
UT
IL
$100k Take-Home
✓$73,886
$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
✓26.11%
26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$57,086
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Provo UT | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,338 $3,945/mo · 21.1% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,886 $6,157/mo · 26.11% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $106,003 $8,834/mo · 29.33% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Provo or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Provo has a cost-of-living index of 1.08 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Provo is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Provo is $1,400/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Provo?
$100k in Provo = $128k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 27.8%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Provo or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,886 in UT (Provo) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $57,086 in Provo vs $49,786 in Chicago.
More City Comparisons
California Salary GuideTexas Salary GuideProvo vs New York City cost of livingProvo vs Los Angeles cost of livingProvo vs Chicago cost of livingCost of living in ProvoCost of living in New York CityCost of living in Los AngelesSoftware Engineer salary in ProvoRegistered Nurse salary in ProvoWhere does $100k rank nationally?