City comparison
Chicago vs Boston Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Chicago (113.6) and Boston (144.3).
Chicago Index
113.6
Boston Index
144.3
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Boston Rent
$3,775
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Boston Home price
$722,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Chicago to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Boston.
Equivalent salary in Boston
$115,592
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Chicago and Boston.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Chicago | Boston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 128 | 198 | +70.0 (+54.7%) |
| Groceries | 106 | 122 | +16.0 (+15.1%) |
| Transportation | 112 | 114 | +2.0 (+1.8%) |
| Healthcare | 104 | 113 | +9.0 (+8.7%) |
| Utilities | 101 | 106 | +5.0 (+5.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 105 | 121 | +16.0 (+15.2%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,130 / $6,790
Chicago / Boston
Couple
$8,520 / $11,270
Chicago / Boston
Family
$12,000 / $15,890
Chicago / Boston
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Chicago city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Chicago.
View Boston city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Boston.
Last updated: Q1 2026
Data as of Q1 2026. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, HUD Fair Market Rents.
Cost of living indexes use the national average as baseline (100). Data is updated periodically.