Is Chicago really expensive to live?

Expatistan’s Cost of Living Calculator has Chicago ranked as the 11th most expensive city in North America. Chicago is 21\% more expensive than Houston and 24\% more expensive than Phoenix. So, if you want that big city feel at a lower cost than LA or NYC, Chicago isn’t a bad option. But Texas is cheaper.

Is Chicago a cheap city to live in?

As of June 2019, Chicago ranks 11th in terms of average rental prices in large American cities. This means Chicagoans pay relatively low rents for a major city (especially compared to San Francisco, where the average rent is a staggering $3,700).

What salary do I need to live in Chicago?

The recommended household income for a one-bedroom in Chicago is about $46,224 a year, or $22.22 an hour. However, the “living wage” is defined as the minimum amount of money needed to live above the poverty threshold. For Chicago, the living wage is around $16.08 an hour for a full-time employed single individual.

How expensive is life in Chicago?

According to Numbeo, the average cost of living for a single person without rent in Chicago is $980. For a 4-person family, this works out to approximately $3,500 without rent. This means that a single person with an average salary renting a 45 square meter studio apartment can expect to spend $3,043 a month all in.

Is Chicago cheaper than New York?

The cost of living in Chicago, IL is -36.3\% lower than in New York, NY. You would have to earn a salary of $38,235 to maintain your current standard of living. Employers in Chicago, IL typically pay -11.8\% less than employers in New York, NY.

Is Chicago or LA more expensive?

The cost of living in Chicago, IL is -18.5\% lower than in Los Angeles, CA. You would have to earn a salary of $48,903 to maintain your current standard of living. Employers in Chicago, IL typically pay -6.2\% less than employers in Los Angeles, CA.