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Chicago vs Los Angeles: prices, pay and housing
| Chicago, IL | Los Angeles, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 103.6 | 113.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $73,380 | $77,270 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $54,720 | $55,850 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $70,834 | $68,040 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,962 | $60,080 |
| Typical home value | $353,998 | $968,608 |
| Median household income | $88,850 | $93,525 |
| Home price / household income | 4.0 | 10.4 |
| Metro population | 9,359,555 | 13,012,469 |
*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: Chicago to Los Angeles
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Chicago to Los Angeles, multiply your salary by 1.096.
| Salary in Chicago | Same buying power in Los Angeles |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Chicago | $54,812 in Los Angeles |
| $75,000 in Chicago | $82,219 in Los Angeles |
| $100,000 in Chicago | $109,625 in Los Angeles |
| $150,000 in Chicago | $164,437 in Los Angeles |
| $200,000 in Chicago | $219,250 in Los Angeles |
Salaries for common jobs in Chicago and Los Angeles
| Job | Chicago | Los Angeles | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,490 | $35,890 | $37,154 / $31,603 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,690 | $41,080 | $33,486 / $36,173 |
| Retail Salespersons | $39,370 | $43,010 | $38,004 / $37,872 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,140 | $44,070 | $41,643 / $38,806 |
| Office Clerks, General | $49,620 | $50,980 | $47,898 / $44,890 |
| Cashiers | $35,760 | $39,550 | $34,519 / $34,826 |
| Registered Nurses | $97,930 | $140,370 | $94,532 / $123,602 |
| General and Operations Managers | $143,740 | $157,110 | $138,752 / $138,342 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,700 | $42,400 | $39,288 / $37,335 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,650 | $42,640 | $34,413 / $37,546 |
| Security Guards | $44,360 | $43,880 | $42,821 / $38,638 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $41,400 | $43,050 | $39,963 / $37,907 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $91,990 | $99,740 | $88,798 / $87,826 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $49,800 | $53,500 | $48,072 / $47,109 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $65,170 | $61,230 | $62,908 / $53,916 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Chicago vs Los Angeles: questions
Is Chicago more expensive than Los Angeles?
No. BEA prices are 103.6 in Chicago, IL and 113.6 in Los Angeles, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Los Angeles to match $100,000 in Chicago?
About $109,625, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Chicago or Los Angeles?
Chicago, IL: 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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