City comparison
Chicago vs Seattle Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Chicago (113.6) and Seattle (137.2).
Chicago Index
113.6
Seattle Index
137.2
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Seattle Rent
$3,475
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Seattle Home price
$636,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Chicago to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Seattle.
Equivalent salary in Seattle
$109,905
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Chicago and Seattle.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Chicago | Seattle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 128 | 184 | +56.0 (+43.8%) |
| Groceries | 106 | 118 | +12.0 (+11.3%) |
| Transportation | 112 | 113 | +1.0 (+0.9%) |
| Healthcare | 104 | 109 | +5.0 (+4.8%) |
| Utilities | 101 | 103 | +2.0 (+2.0%) |
| Miscellaneous | 105 | 116 | +11.0 (+10.5%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$5,130 / $6,410
Chicago / Seattle
Couple
$8,520 / $10,640
Chicago / Seattle
Family
$12,000 / $15,000
Chicago / Seattle
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Chicago city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Chicago.
View Seattle city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Seattle.
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.