Raleigh vs Chicago

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: North Carolina salaries · Illinois salaries

Living in Raleigh vs Chicago

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Raleigh has a housing index of 107 while Chicago sits at 112 (national average = 100). The median home in Raleigh costs $370,000 compared to $310,000 in Chicago, a difference of $60,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,500 in Raleigh versus $1,700 in Chicago.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Raleigh scores 100 while Chicago scores 104. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.

Healthcare costs in Raleigh (108) are higher than Chicago (101).

Median household income in Raleigh is $67,266 compared to $62,097 in Chicago. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Raleigh.

Relocating: Raleigh vs Chicago

If you are considering a move between Raleigh (index: 102) and Chicago (index: 107), the 5% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Raleigh 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 Raleigh can afford $1,570/month, while the median household in Chicago can afford $1,449/month. With median homes at $370,000 in Raleigh versus $310,000 in Chicago, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.

Renting vs buying: At $1,500/month in Raleigh and $1,700/month in Chicago, 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 significantly further in Raleigh. 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: Raleigh (102) vs Chicago (107)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Raleigh at 102 is 2% above the US average, while Chicago at 107 is 7% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.

Raleigh and Chicago land within 5 points of each other on the composite index (102 vs 107), so the overall cost picture is similar. The biggest category divergence is transportation, where Raleigh scores 100 and Chicago scores 116. That 16-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing costs are comparable between the two metros, with Raleigh at 107 and Chicago at 112 on the housing sub-index and median home prices of $370,000 and $310,000 respectively. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Raleigh has an edge in housing and groceries, while Chicago is more affordable for healthcare. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,500/month in Raleigh and $1,700/month in Chicago, 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 $60,000 difference in median home prices between Raleigh and Chicago translates to roughly $3,600 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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