City comparison
Washington vs Chicago Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Washington (142.9) and Chicago (113.6).
Washington Index
142.9
Chicago Index
113.6
Washington Rent
$3,800
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Washington Home price
$705,000
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Washington to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Chicago.
Equivalent salary in Chicago
$94,600
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Washington and Chicago.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Washington | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 201 | 128 | -73.0 (-36.3%) |
| Groceries | 117 | 106 | -11.0 (-9.4%) |
| Transportation | 109 | 112 | +3.0 (+2.8%) |
| Healthcare | 111 | 104 | -7.0 (-6.3%) |
| Utilities | 104 | 101 | -3.0 (-2.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 118 | 105 | -13.0 (-11.0%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,720 / $5,130
Washington / Chicago
Couple
$11,160 / $8,520
Washington / Chicago
Family
$15,720 / $12,000
Washington / Chicago
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Washington city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Washington.
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.