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Boston vs Chicago: prices, pay and housing
| Boston, MA | Chicago, IL | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 108.3 | 103.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $89,620 | $73,380 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $66,620 | $54,720 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $82,778 | $70,834 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $67,717 | $56,962 |
| Typical home value | $741,868 | $353,998 |
| Median household income | $112,484 | $88,850 |
| Home price / household income | 6.6 | 4.0 |
| Metro population | 4,917,661 | 9,359,555 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Boston to Chicago
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Boston to Chicago, multiply your salary by 0.957.
| Salary in Boston | Same buying power in Chicago |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Boston | $47,843 in Chicago |
| $75,000 in Boston | $71,764 in Chicago |
| $100,000 in Boston | $95,686 in Chicago |
| $150,000 in Boston | $143,528 in Chicago |
| $200,000 in Boston | $191,371 in Chicago |
Salaries for common jobs in Boston and Chicago
| Job | Boston | Chicago | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,500 | $43,140 | $42,950 / $41,643 |
| General and Operations Managers | $163,800 | $143,740 | $151,294 / $138,752 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $42,240 | $38,490 | $39,015 / $37,154 |
| Registered Nurses | $121,820 | $97,930 | $112,519 / $94,532 |
| Cashiers | $37,260 | $35,760 | $34,415 / $34,519 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,230 | $34,690 | $33,464 / $33,486 |
| Retail Salespersons | $40,320 | $39,370 | $37,242 / $38,004 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,620 | $40,700 | $37,519 / $39,288 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $53,740 | $49,800 | $49,637 / $48,072 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $45,900 | $41,400 | $42,396 / $39,963 |
| Office Clerks, General | $52,880 | $49,620 | $48,843 / $47,898 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $64,420 | $65,170 | $59,502 / $62,908 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $99,370 | $83,770 | $91,783 / $80,863 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $45,340 | $35,650 | $41,878 / $34,413 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $59,390 | $54,630 | $54,856 / $52,734 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Boston vs Chicago: questions
Is Boston more expensive than Chicago?
Yes. BEA prices are 108.3 in Boston, MA and 103.6 in Chicago, IL (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Chicago to match $100,000 in Boston?
About $95,686, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Boston or Chicago?
Boston, MA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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