City comparison
Los Angeles vs Chicago Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Los Angeles (148.5) and Chicago (113.6).
Los Angeles Index
148.5
Chicago Index
113.6
Los Angeles Rent
$4,025
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Los Angeles Home price
$730,000
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Los Angeles to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Chicago.
Equivalent salary in Chicago
$95,623
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Los Angeles and Chicago.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Los Angeles | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 208 | 128 | -80.0 (-38.5%) |
| Groceries | 123 | 106 | -17.0 (-13.8%) |
| Transportation | 118 | 112 | -6.0 (-5.1%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 104 | -7.0 (-6.3%) |
| Utilities | 109 | 101 | -8.0 (-7.3%) |
| Miscellaneous | 121 | 105 | -16.0 (-13.2%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$7,070 / $5,130
Los Angeles / Chicago
Couple
$11,740 / $8,520
Los Angeles / Chicago
Family
$16,540 / $12,000
Los Angeles / Chicago
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Los Angeles city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Los Angeles.
View Chicago city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Chicago.
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.