Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Asheville and Chicago have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: North Carolina salaries · Illinois salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Asheville has a housing index of 120 while Chicago sits at 112 (national average = 100). The median home in Asheville costs $360,000 compared to $310,000 in Chicago, a difference of $50,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Asheville versus $1,700 in Chicago.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Asheville scores 103 while Chicago scores 104. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Asheville (106) are higher than Chicago (101). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Asheville is $48,534 compared to $62,097 in Chicago. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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