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Washington vs Chicago Cost of Living

Chicago is 29% less expensive than Washington

Washington, DC

Cost of Living Index 152.1
H-1B Avg Salary $136,296
H-1B Filings 11
View full H-1B data →

Chicago, IL

Cost of Living Index 107.3
H-1B Avg Salary $131,704
H-1B Filings 1,634
View full H-1B data →

A $100,000 salary in Washington equals $70,546 in Chicago

Salary Conversion Table

What your salary in Washington is worth in Chicago

Washington Chicago Difference
$50,000 = $35,273 $-14,727
$60,000 = $42,327 $-17,673
$70,000 = $49,382 $-20,618
$75,000 = $52,909 $-22,091
$80,000 = $56,437 $-23,563
$90,000 = $63,491 $-26,509
$100,000 = $70,546 $-29,454
$110,000 = $77,600 $-32,400
$120,000 = $84,655 $-35,345
$125,000 = $88,182 $-36,818
$130,000 = $91,709 $-38,291
$140,000 = $98,764 $-41,236
$150,000 = $105,819 $-44,181
$160,000 = $112,873 $-47,127
$175,000 = $123,455 $-51,545
$180,000 = $126,982 $-53,018
$200,000 = $141,091 $-58,909
$225,000 = $158,728 $-66,272
$250,000 = $176,364 $-73,636
$300,000 = $211,637 $-88,363

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicago more expensive than Washington? +

No, Chicago is 29% less expensive than Washington. The cost of living index is 107.3 compared to 152.1.

What salary do I need in Chicago to live like I do in Washington? +

To maintain your current standard of living, multiply your Washington salary by 0.71. For example, a $100,000 salary would need to be $70,546 in Chicago.

What are the biggest cost differences between the cities? +

Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities. Other significant factors include transportation costs, groceries, and healthcare expenses. Use our detailed comparison above to understand the overall cost difference.