City comparison
Chicago vs Washington Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Chicago (113.6) and Washington (142.9).
Chicago Index
113.6
Washington Index
142.9
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Washington Rent
$3,800
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Washington Home price
$705,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Chicago to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Washington.
Equivalent salary in Washington
$114,471
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Chicago and Washington.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Chicago | Washington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 128 | 201 | +73.0 (+57.0%) |
| Groceries | 106 | 117 | +11.0 (+10.4%) |
| Transportation | 112 | 109 | -3.0 (-2.7%) |
| Healthcare | 104 | 111 | +7.0 (+6.7%) |
| Utilities | 101 | 104 | +3.0 (+3.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 105 | 118 | +13.0 (+12.4%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,130 / $6,720
Chicago / Washington
Couple
$8,520 / $11,160
Chicago / Washington
Family
$12,000 / $15,720
Chicago / Washington
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Chicago city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Chicago.
View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
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.