City Comparison · 2026
Wilmington vs Chicago
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Wilmington = $131k in Chicago
Metric
Wilmington
Chicago
COL Index
✓1.05
1.38
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,350/mo
$2,000/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$1,680/mo
$2,600/mo
State Income Tax
DE
IL
$100k Take-Home
$73,152
✓$73,786
$100k Effective Rate
26.85%
✓26.21%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$56,952
$49,786
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Wilmington DE | Chicago IL |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,304 $3,942/mo · 21.16% eff. | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,152 $6,096/mo · 26.85% eff. | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. |
| $150,000 | $104,394 $8,700/mo · 30.4% eff. | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wilmington or Chicago cheaper to live in?
Wilmington has a cost-of-living index of 1.05 while Chicago is 1.38 (1.00 = US average). Wilmington is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Wilmington is $1,350/month vs $2,000/month in Chicago.
How much more do you need to earn in Chicago vs Wilmington?
$100k in Wilmington = $131k in Chicago. Cost of living in Chicago is higher by 31.4%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Wilmington or Chicago?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,152 in DE (Wilmington) and $73,786 in IL (Chicago). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $56,952 in Wilmington vs $49,786 in Chicago.
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