Chicago, IL vs Seattle, WA

The cost of living difference between Chicago, IL and Seattle, WA is dramatic. Chicago is 40.8% cheaper than Seattle, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Chicago has a cost index of 104 while Seattle sits at 175, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Chicago is $1,380/month compared to $1,998/month in Seattle — a 31% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Chicago is more affordable at $315,200 median vs $912,100.

Median household income in Chicago is $75,134 compared to $121,984 in Seattle (-38.4%). The higher salaries in Seattle partially offset the cost difference, but don't fully close the gap. Looking at affordability, residents of Chicago spend roughly 22% of their income on rent, more than the 19.7% in Seattle.