City Comparison · 2026
Virginia Beach vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Virginia Beach = $120k in Chicago
Metric
Virginia Beach
Chicago
COL Index
✓1.15
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,450/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,820/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
VA
IL
$100k Take-Home
$73,243
✓$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
26.76%
✓26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$55,843
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Virginia Beach VA | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,055 $3,921/mo · 21.57% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,243 $6,104/mo · 26.76% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $104,910 $8,743/mo · 30.06% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Virginia Beach or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Virginia Beach has a cost-of-living index of 1.15 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Virginia Beach is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Virginia Beach is $1,450/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Virginia Beach?
$100k in Virginia Beach = $120k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 20%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Virginia Beach or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,243 in VA (Virginia Beach) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $55,843 in Virginia Beach vs $49,786 in Chicago.
More City Comparisons
California Salary GuideTexas Salary GuideVirginia Beach vs New York City cost of livingVirginia Beach vs Los Angeles cost of livingVirginia Beach vs Chicago cost of livingCost of living in Virginia BeachCost of living in New York CityCost of living in Los AngelesSoftware Engineer salary in Virginia BeachRegistered Nurse salary in Virginia BeachWhere does $100k rank nationally?