City comparison
Seattle vs Chicago Cost of Living
Compare overall indexes, housing costs, and budget targets between Seattle (137.2) and Chicago (113.6).
Seattle Index
137.2
Chicago Index
113.6
Seattle Rent
$3,475
Chicago Rent
$2,375
Seattle Home price
$636,000
Chicago Home price
$377,000
Salary equivalent calculator
Enter your current salary in Seattle to estimate the income needed for a similar lifestyle in Chicago.
Equivalent salary in Chicago
$93,563
Based on the relative overall cost of living between Seattle and Chicago.
Category-by-category differences
Use this table to see which categories make one city more or less expensive than the other.
| Category | Seattle | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | 184 | 128 | -56.0 (-30.4%) |
| Groceries | 118 | 106 | -12.0 (-10.2%) |
| Transportation | 113 | 112 | -1.0 (-0.9%) |
| Healthcare | 109 | 104 | -5.0 (-4.6%) |
| Utilities | 103 | 101 | -2.0 (-1.9%) |
| Miscellaneous | 116 | 105 | -11.0 (-9.5%) |
Budget comparison
Single
$6,410 / $5,130
Seattle / Chicago
Couple
$10,640 / $8,520
Seattle / Chicago
Family
$15,000 / $12,000
Seattle / Chicago
Frequently Asked Questions
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View Seattle city page
Open the full cost-of-living profile for Seattle.
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.