Cost of living · head to head
New York, NY is 9% pricier than Chicago, IL.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Chicago, ILoverall index
103.6
New York, NYoverall index
112.6
Try your own salary
in Chicago, IL
To live the same in New York, NY, you’d need about $108,687.
That’s about $8,687 more — New York, NY is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 9%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in New York, NY runs 33% higher than in Chicago, IL (148.6 vs 112), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in New York, NY
| $50,000 in Chicago, IL | $54,344 |
| $75,000 in Chicago, IL | $81,515 |
| $100,000 in Chicago, IL | $108,687 |
| $150,000 in Chicago, IL | $163,031 |
| $200,000 in Chicago, IL | $217,375 |
Each row shows the salary in New York, NY that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Chicago, IL.
Chicago, IL · housing
112
New York, NY · housing
148.6
Common questions
Is New York, NY cheaper than Chicago, IL?
No — New York, NY has an overall cost-of-living index of 112.6 versus 103.6 for Chicago, IL, making it about 9% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in New York, NY to match $100,000 in Chicago, IL?
About $108,687. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Chicago, IL costs roughly $108,687 in New York, NY.
Is housing cheaper in New York, NY than in Chicago, IL?
Housing in New York, NY scores 148.6 versus 112 in Chicago, IL — about 33% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Chicago, IL and New York, NY?
Overall, New York, NY is about 9% pricier than Chicago, IL (index 112.6 vs 103.6), with housing 33% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.