Cost of living in Chicago, IL

Livability score 63 · cost-of-living index 102.5 (US = 100)

How Chicago compares

Where Chicago falls within the range of all 200 metros (marker = this city).

Map of Chicago

Grocery stores, parks, golf courses and more — real listings. Toggle categories in the legend.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors · business listings via Google Maps

Cost of living

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Cost-of-living index (US=100)	102.5	metro-area	#159 of 200
Grocery index (US=100)	104.3	metro-area	#169 of 200
Big Mac price (est.)	$5.83	metro-area	#155 of 200
Median household income	$85,087	metro-area	#40 of 200
Median wage (all occupations)	$46,819	metro-area	#28 of 200

Who lives here

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Median age	38.4 years	metro-area	#98 of 200
Bachelor's degree or higher (25+)	40.9%	metro-area	#35 of 200
Foreign-born residents	18.3%	metro-area	#35 of 200
Homes that are owner-occupied	65.3%	metro-area	#115 of 200

Economy

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Unemployment rate	6.19%	metro-area	#166 of 200
Population growth (5-yr)	+0.2%	metro-area	#168 of 200

Housing — what your money buys

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Median home price	$353,998	metro-area	#111 of 200
Home price ÷ income (affordability)	4.2×	metro-area	#65 of 200
1-yr home appreciation	+4.4%	metro-area	#27 of 200
Price per square foot	$208	metro-area	#126 of 200
Typical home size (implied)	1,700 sqft
Median rent (monthly)	$2,266	metro-area	#176 of 200
Homes for sale (inventory)	21,664
Median days on market	8	metro-area	#29 of 200

Taxes

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Total tax burden (est. % of income)	12.9%	state	#164 of 200
Combined sales tax	8.86%	state	#169 of 200
State income tax (top rate)	4.95%
Capital gains tax	4.95%	state	#112 of 200
High earners	No special surtax
Social Security in retirement	Not taxed — does not tax Social Security benefits
Effective property tax rate	2.11%	metro-area	#187 of 200
Median property tax paid	$6,090	metro-area	#188 of 200

Health & childcare

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Life expectancy at birth	78.2 years	metro-area	#60 of 200
Healthcare (annual, single adult)	$6,800	state	#93 of 200
Uninsured (share of residents)	8.4%	metro-area	#100 of 200
Primary care providers per 100k	85	metro-area	#56 of 200
Childcare (annual, infant, center)	$14,000	state	#138 of 200

Vehicles & commute

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Annual registration	$150	state	#125 of 200
Vehicle property tax (annual)	None	state	#1 of 200
Emissions testing	Required
Emissions detail	Required in major metro counties
DMV & license offices	29
Avg commute to work	31 min	metro-area	#192 of 200
Commute by driving alone	63.6%	metro-area	#13 of 200
Solo drivers commuting 30+ min	47.8%	metro-area	#193 of 200

Utilities & fuel

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Electricity	20.5¢/kWh	state	#138 of 200
Avg monthly electric bill	$184	state	#138 of 200
Gasoline	$3.60/gal	state	#159 of 200
Natural gas (avg monthly bill)	$82	state	#167 of 200
Water & sewer (avg monthly bill)	$57	state	#7 of 200
Home internet (avg monthly bill)	$77	state	#67 of 200

Insurance

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Home insurance (annual)	$1,900	state	#106 of 200
Auto insurance (annual)	$1,600	state	#51 of 200

Disaster risk & supplemental insurance

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Main natural hazards	Notable hazards: tornadoes, earthquakes — separate flood/quake/windstorm policies may be needed.
FEMA National Risk Index (0–100, higher = more risk)	97.1 — Relatively High	metro-area	#169 of 200
Flood insurance (annual, NFIP)	$700	state	#61 of 200
Earthquake insurance (annual)	$300	state	#143 of 200

Climate & air quality

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Air quality (median AQI, lower=cleaner)	56	metro-area	#181 of 200
Cooling degree-days (AC load)	900	metro-area	#66 of 200
Homes with air conditioning (state)	96%	state	#4 of 200
Heating degree-days (heat load)	6,200	metro-area	#178 of 200
Days per year ≥ 90°F	18	metro-area	#79 of 200
Days per year ≥ 100°F	1	metro-area	#105 of 200
Avg summer high (state)	85°F	metro-area	#59 of 200
Avg winter low	15°F	metro-area	#182 of 200
Annual precipitation	40.9"	metro-area	#86 of 200
Annual snowfall	38.8"	metro-area	#151 of 200
Sunshine (% of possible)	54%	metro-area	#161 of 200
Plant hardiness zone	6a
Frost window	04-30 → 10-15

Safety

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Violent crime (per 100k, state avg)	430	state	#111 of 200
Property crime (per 100k, state avg)	1,700	state	#47 of 200

Local amenities & recreation

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Grocery stores	114	metro-area	#84 of 200
Parks	237
Hiking areas	58
Golf courses	49
Shooting ranges	40
Lakes	36

Permits

Metric	Value	Scope	US rank
Building permit difficulty (1–5)	4	state	#147 of 200
Permit detail	Difficult; zoning + review

US rank = this metro's position among all 200 metros (1 = best: cheapest / safest / highest income, etc.). Childcare is a family cost, not included in the salary-equivalence total.

Top employers in Chicago

Major public and private employers in the Chicago, IL area.

Employer	Sector	Jobs
U.S. Federal Government (IL)	Government	Careers →
Chicago Public Schools	Education	Search →
City of Chicago	Government	Search →
AbbVie	pharmaceutical	Careers →
McDonald's	Retail	Careers →
United Airlines	transportation	Careers →

Salaries by occupation in Chicago

Local median pay, BLS OEWS. All occupations →

Occupation	Median pay
Lawyers	$166,980
Dentists	$159,260
Financial Managers	$159,070
Marketing Managers	$155,750
Pharmacists	$136,450
Human Resources Managers	$133,820
Software Developers	$129,180
Physician Assistants	$118,400
Construction Managers	$118,390
Data Scientists	$108,580
General & Operations Managers	$106,940
Physical Therapists	$103,270
Police & Sheriff's Patrol Officers	$102,520
Plumbers, Pipefitters & Steamfitters	$101,560
Mechanical Engineers	$100,200
Electricians	$98,790
Civil Engineers	$97,810
Dental Hygienists	$95,770
Web Developers	$87,870
Registered Nurses	$85,160
Accountants & Auditors	$79,810
Carpenters	$73,860
Elementary School Teachers	$68,280
Heavy & Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	$61,060
Graphic Designers	$59,160
Real Estate Sales Agents	$52,300
Welders, Cutters & Solderers	$48,580
Medical Assistants	$45,010