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Chicago vs Seattle: prices, pay and housing
| Chicago, IL | Seattle, WA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 103.6 | 111.1 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $73,380 | $91,790 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $54,720 | $72,610 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $70,834 | $82,595 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,962 | $73,404 |
| Typical home value | $353,998 | $750,279 |
| Median household income | $88,850 | $112,594 |
| Home price / household income | 4.0 | 6.7 |
| Metro population | 9,359,555 | 4,021,467 |
*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 Seattle
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Chicago to Seattle, multiply your salary by 1.073.
| Salary in Chicago | Same buying power in Seattle |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Chicago | $53,638 in Seattle |
| $75,000 in Chicago | $80,457 in Seattle |
| $100,000 in Chicago | $107,276 in Seattle |
| $150,000 in Chicago | $160,915 in Seattle |
| $200,000 in Chicago | $214,553 in Seattle |
Salaries for common jobs in Chicago and Seattle
| Job | Chicago | Seattle | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $141,640 | $174,920 | $136,725 / $157,397 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,490 | $49,500 | $37,154 / $44,541 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,690 | $42,260 | $33,486 / $38,027 |
| Retail Salespersons | $39,370 | $45,020 | $38,004 / $40,510 |
| Registered Nurses | $97,930 | $126,390 | $94,532 / $113,729 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $90,910 | $110,050 | $87,755 / $99,025 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,700 | $47,470 | $39,288 / $42,715 |
| Cashiers | $35,760 | $44,720 | $34,519 / $40,240 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,140 | $49,650 | $41,643 / $44,676 |
| General and Operations Managers | $143,740 | $169,740 | $138,752 / $152,736 |
| Office Clerks, General | $49,620 | $56,470 | $47,898 / $50,813 |
| Project Management Specialists | $113,740 | $133,590 | $109,793 / $120,207 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $41,400 | $49,380 | $39,963 / $44,433 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,650 | $62,940 | $34,413 / $56,635 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $49,800 | $56,350 | $48,072 / $50,705 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Chicago vs Seattle: questions
Is Chicago more expensive than Seattle?
No. BEA prices are 103.6 in Chicago, IL and 111.1 in Seattle, WA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Seattle to match $100,000 in Chicago?
About $107,276, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Chicago or Seattle?
Seattle, WA: 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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