Chicago vs Salt Lake City
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Chicago
Salt Lake City
💡 The Verdict
Chicago and Salt Lake City have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
💰 Salary Equivalence
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Illinois salaries · Utah salaries
Living in Chicago vs Salt Lake City
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Chicago has a housing index of 112 while Salt Lake City sits at 120 (national average = 100). The median home in Chicago costs $310,000 compared to $440,000 in Salt Lake City, a difference of $130,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Chicago versus $1,500 in Salt Lake City.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Chicago scores 104 while Salt Lake City scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Chicago (101) are higher than Salt Lake City (97). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Chicago is $62,097 compared to $60,590 in Salt Lake City. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Relocating: Chicago vs Salt Lake City
If you are considering a move between Chicago (index: 107) and Salt Lake City (index: 107), the 0% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Salt Lake City is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.
Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Chicago can afford $1,449/month, while the median household in Salt Lake City can afford $1,414/month. With median homes at $310,000 in Chicago versus $440,000 in Salt Lake City, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.
Renting vs buying: At $1,700/month in Chicago and $1,500/month in Salt Lake City, renters face similar costs in both cities. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.
Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
Reading These Numbers: Chicago (107) vs Salt Lake City (107)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Chicago at 107 is 7% above the US average, while Salt Lake City at 107 is 7% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.
The overall index is a weighted average of housing (the largest component), groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Housing typically drives the biggest differences between cities. Even when two cities have similar overall indices, their category-level costs can vary significantly — one city might have expensive housing but cheap groceries, while another is the reverse. Check the category breakdown above for the full picture.
For renters: With median rents of $1,700/month in Chicago and $1,500/month in Salt Lake City, the annual rent difference is approximately $2,400. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $12,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $130,000 difference in median home prices between Chicago and Salt Lake City translates to roughly $7,800 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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