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Chicago vs Phoenix: prices, pay and housing
| Chicago, IL | Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 103.6 | 103.3 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $73,380 | $69,630 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $54,720 | $51,380 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $70,834 | $67,395 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,962 | $56,468 |
| Typical home value | $353,998 | $448,352 |
| Median household income | $88,850 | $84,703 |
| Home price / household income | 4.0 | 5.3 |
| Metro population | 9,359,555 | 4,941,206 |
*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 Phoenix
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Chicago to Phoenix, multiply your salary by 0.997.
| Salary in Chicago | Same buying power in Phoenix |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Chicago | $49,865 in Phoenix |
| $75,000 in Chicago | $74,798 in Phoenix |
| $100,000 in Chicago | $99,731 in Phoenix |
| $150,000 in Chicago | $149,596 in Phoenix |
| $200,000 in Chicago | $199,461 in Phoenix |
Salaries for common jobs in Chicago and Phoenix
| Job | Chicago | Phoenix | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $143,740 | $132,100 | $138,752 / $127,860 |
| Retail Salespersons | $39,370 | $38,580 | $38,004 / $37,342 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $49,800 | $48,550 | $48,072 / $46,992 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,490 | $36,850 | $37,154 / $35,667 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,140 | $44,840 | $41,643 / $43,401 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,690 | $35,560 | $33,486 / $34,419 |
| Registered Nurses | $97,930 | $101,090 | $94,532 / $97,845 |
| Cashiers | $35,760 | $35,960 | $34,519 / $34,806 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,700 | $41,210 | $39,288 / $39,887 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,650 | $53,370 | $34,413 / $51,657 |
| Office Clerks, General | $49,620 | $50,560 | $47,898 / $48,937 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $65,170 | $59,790 | $62,908 / $57,871 |
| Software Developers | $141,640 | $135,520 | $136,725 / $131,170 |
| Construction Laborers | $69,180 | $48,670 | $66,779 / $47,108 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $41,400 | $38,120 | $39,963 / $36,897 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Chicago vs Phoenix: questions
Is Chicago more expensive than Phoenix?
Yes. BEA prices are 103.6 in Chicago, IL and 103.3 in Phoenix, AZ (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Phoenix to match $100,000 in Chicago?
About $99,731, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Chicago or Phoenix?
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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