City Comparison · 2026
Waterloo vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Waterloo = $168k in Chicago
Metric
Waterloo
Chicago
COL Index
✓0.82
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$880/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,100/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
IA
IL
$100k Take-Home
✓$74,936
$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
✓25.06%
26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$64,376
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Waterloo IA | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,968 $3,997/mo · 20.05% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $74,936 $6,245/mo · 25.06% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $107,578 $8,965/mo · 28.28% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Waterloo or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Waterloo has a cost-of-living index of 0.82 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Waterloo is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Waterloo is $880/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Waterloo?
$100k in Waterloo = $168k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 68.3%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Waterloo or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $74,936 in IA (Waterloo) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $64,376 in Waterloo vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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