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Chicago vs New York: prices, pay and housing
| Chicago, IL | New York, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 103.6 | 112.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $73,380 | $86,310 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $54,720 | $61,430 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $70,834 | $76,677 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,962 | $65,407 |
| Typical home value | $353,998 | $727,625 |
| Median household income | $88,850 | $97,334 |
| Home price / household income | 4.0 | 7.5 |
| Metro population | 9,359,555 | 19,756,722 |
*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 New York
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Chicago to New York, multiply your salary by 1.087.
| Salary in Chicago | Same buying power in New York |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Chicago | $54,328 in New York |
| $75,000 in Chicago | $81,493 in New York |
| $100,000 in Chicago | $108,657 in New York |
| $150,000 in Chicago | $162,985 in New York |
| $200,000 in Chicago | $217,314 in New York |
Salaries for common jobs in Chicago and New York
| Job | Chicago | New York | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,490 | $41,120 | $37,154 / $36,531 |
| Retail Salespersons | $39,370 | $43,950 | $38,004 / $39,045 |
| Registered Nurses | $97,930 | $119,600 | $94,532 / $106,252 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $41,400 | $45,520 | $39,963 / $40,440 |
| General and Operations Managers | $143,740 | $189,200 | $138,752 / $168,084 |
| Cashiers | $35,760 | $38,180 | $34,519 / $33,919 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,690 | $37,130 | $33,486 / $32,986 |
| Security Guards | $44,360 | $46,140 | $42,821 / $40,990 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,650 | $55,000 | $34,413 / $48,862 |
| Office Clerks, General | $49,620 | $50,080 | $47,898 / $44,491 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,700 | $42,380 | $39,288 / $37,650 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $39,820 | $42,530 | $38,438 / $37,783 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $49,800 | $54,410 | $48,072 / $48,337 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $54,630 | $53,310 | $52,734 / $47,360 |
| Software Developers | $141,640 | $165,870 | $136,725 / $147,357 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Chicago vs New York: questions
Is Chicago more expensive than New York?
No. BEA prices are 103.6 in Chicago, IL and 112.6 in New York, NY (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in New York to match $100,000 in Chicago?
About $108,657, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Chicago or New York?
New York, NY: 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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