City Comparison · 2026
West Palm Beach vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in West Palm Beach = $79k in Chicago
Metric
West Palm Beach
Chicago
COL Index
1.75
✓1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
$2,700/mo
✓$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
$3,510/mo
✓$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
FL
IL
$100k Take-Home
✓$78,736
$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
✓21.26%
26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
$46,336
✓$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | West Palm Beach FL | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $50,248 $4,187/mo · 16.25% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $78,736 $6,561/mo · 21.26% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $113,278 $9,440/mo · 24.48% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is West Palm Beach or Chicago cheaper to live in?
West Palm Beach has a cost-of-living index of 1.75 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Chicago is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in West Palm Beach is $2,700/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in West Palm Beach vs Chicago?
$100k in West Palm Beach = $79k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is lower by 21.1%.
Which city has better after-tax income — West Palm Beach or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $78,736 in FL (West Palm Beach) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $46,336 in West Palm Beach vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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