City Comparison · 2026
St Paul vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in St Paul = $125k in Chicago
Metric
St Paul
Chicago
COL Index
✓1.10
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,450/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,850/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
MN
IL
$100k Take-Home
$72,396
✓$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
27.6%
✓26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$54,996
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | St Paul MN | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $46,628 $3,886/mo · 22.29% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $72,396 $6,033/mo · 27.6% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $103,055 $8,588/mo · 31.3% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St Paul or Chicago cheaper to live in?
St Paul has a cost-of-living index of 1.10 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). St Paul is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in St Paul is $1,450/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs St Paul?
$100k in St Paul = $125k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 25.5%.
Which city has better after-tax income — St Paul or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $72,396 in MN (St Paul) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $54,996 in St Paul vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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