City Comparison · 2026
Salt Lake City vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Salt Lake City = $117k in Chicago
Metric
Salt Lake City
Chicago
COL Index
✓1.18
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,550/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,950/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
✓$55,286
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Salt Lake City has a cost-of-living index of 1.18 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Salt Lake City is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Salt Lake City is $1,550/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Salt Lake City?
$100k in Salt Lake City = $117k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 16.9%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Salt Lake City or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,886 in UT (Salt Lake City) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $55,286 in Salt Lake City vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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