City comparison
Chicago vs Los Angeles Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Chicago (113.6) and Los Angeles (148.5).
Chicago Index
113.6
Los Angeles Index
148.5
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Los Angeles Rent
$4,025
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Los Angeles Home price
$730,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Chicago to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Los Angeles.
Equivalent salary in Los Angeles
$118,957
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Chicago and Los Angeles.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Chicago | Los Angeles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 128 | 208 | +80.0 (+62.5%) |
| Groceries | 106 | 123 | +17.0 (+16.0%) |
| Transportation | 112 | 118 | +6.0 (+5.4%) |
| Healthcare | 104 | 111 | +7.0 (+6.7%) |
| Utilities | 101 | 109 | +8.0 (+7.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 105 | 121 | +16.0 (+15.2%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,130 / $7,070
Chicago / Los Angeles
Couple
$8,520 / $11,740
Chicago / Los Angeles
Family
$12,000 / $16,540
Chicago / Los Angeles
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Chicago city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Chicago.
View Los Angeles city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Los Angeles.
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.