✦ Cost of living
Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
US = 100
In plain terms: Chicago is about 13% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,900/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing128+28%
- Food & groceries105+5%
- Transport112+12%
- Utilities100−0%
- Healthcare108+8%
- Goods & services108+8%
About
“The Windy City”
Big-city amenities and architecture at Midwest prices — the winters, though, are famously brutal.
- Currency
- US dollar · USD
- Languages
- English
- Coordinates
- 41.88, -87.63
- Emergency
- 911
What things cost
Taxes
37%
Income tax
progressive
0%
VAT / sales
7.65%
Social (employee)
21%
Corporate
20%
Capital gains
$4,300
Avg net salary
per month
Federal; states add 0–13.3% on top.
Visas & residency
Employment-based (H-1B, L-1, O-1) and family routes; famously hard for the green card.
✈ N/A for immigration; ESTA for short visits from VWP countries.
Lottery-based, employer-sponsored.
Max stay: 73 months
For top talent; no lottery.
Citizenship after ~5 yrs. Naturalization after 5 years as LPR (3 if married to citizen).
Quality of life
Safety
48/100
Healthcare
80/100
Pollution
45/100
Internet
200 Mbps
Jan avg
-4 °C
Jul avg
+24 °C
Sunny days
189/yr
Walkability
78/100
Relocation & documents
Coming soonWhere to look
Updated: 2026-08-14 · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · National tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
? Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to live in Chicago, IL?
Chicago, IL's cost-of-living index is 113 (US average = 100) — about 13% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $1,900 per month.
What is the average rent in Chicago, IL?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $1,900 per month, and around $1,450 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in United States?
United States has a top income-tax rate of 37% and a VAT or sales tax of 0%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Chicago, IL?
Chicago, IL averages around -4 °C in January and +24 °C in July, with roughly 189 sunny days a year.
❖ Compare Chicago with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.