Is Los Angeles, CA cheaper than Chicago, IL?

Based on cost of living data, Los Angeles, CA is 60.3% more expensive than Chicago, IL. This translates to spending an extra $4524 per month.

What salary do I need in Los Angeles, CA to live like I do in Chicago, IL?

If you earn $150,000 in Chicago, IL, you'd need approximately $204,283.071 in Los Angeles, CA to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Chicago, IL and Los Angeles, CA?

Housing in Los Angeles, CA is 152.7% more expensive than in Chicago, IL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $2,660/month in Los Angeles, CA compared to $1,925/month in Chicago, IL.

How much can I save per month by moving from Chicago, IL to Los Angeles, CA?

Living in Los Angeles, CA costs approximately $4524 more per month than Chicago, IL, or $54283 more per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Chicago, IL

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Los Angeles, CA

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Chicago, IL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd spend $4.5K/month more in Los Angeles, CA

$150.0K in your current city equals $204.3K in Los Angeles, CA

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI area

Overall Cost

↑ 60.3%

More expensive

Monthly Impact

$4,524

Extra cost

Annual Impact

$54.3K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Chicago, IL

Population:2746K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$305K

Los Angeles, CA

Population:3899K

Cost Index:160

Median Home:$885K

Chicago, IL

The Prairie State

2.7M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Continental

Notable Facts

•Major transportation hub
•Architectural landmark city
•Great Lakes location

Major Industries

FinanceTechnologyManufacturingTransportation

Los Angeles, CA

The Golden State

3.9M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Mediterranean

Notable Facts

•Entertainment capital of the world
•Major Pacific Rim trade center
•Diverse metropolitan area

Major Industries

EntertainmentTechnologyInternational TradeTourism

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Chicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CA

Category	Chicago, IL	Los Angeles, CA	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,066/mo	$7,749/mo	↑ $4,683more	152.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,680/mo	$2,158/mo	↑ $478more	28.5%
🏥Healthcare	$595/mo	$554/mo	↓ $40.89less	6.9%
⚡All Utilities	$519/mo	$557/mo	↑ $38.25more	7.4%
📦Other	$1,758/mo	$1,731/mo	↓ $26.78less	1.5%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$1,040/mo	↑ $10.99more	1.1%

🏠Housing

↑ 152.7%

Chicago, IL

$3,066

Los Angeles, CA

$7,749

Difference

$4,683

🚗Transportation

↑ 28.5%

Chicago, IL

$1,680

Los Angeles, CA

$2,158

Difference

$478

🏥Healthcare

↓ 6.9%

Chicago, IL

$595

Los Angeles, CA

$554

Difference

$40.89

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 7.4%

Chicago, IL

$519

Los Angeles, CA

$557

Difference

$38.25

📦Other

↓ 1.5%

Chicago, IL

$1,758

Los Angeles, CA

$1,731

Difference

$26.78

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 1.1%

Chicago, IL

$1,029

Los Angeles, CA

$1,040

Difference

$10.99

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,600

To$1,910

↑ $310

1 Bed

From$1,710

To$2,135

↑ $425

2 Bed

From$1,925

To$2,660

↑ $735

3 Bed

From$2,480

To$3,370

↑ $890

Chicago, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,140–$2,370/mo

Los Angeles, CAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,630–$3,130/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$8,648

Monthly in Chicago, IL

$13,790

Monthly in Los Angeles, CA

$5,143

Difference

Home Values

Chicago

Los Angeles

$305K

Median Value

$885K

↑ +1.8%

YoY Change

↓ -3.4%

↑ +10.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +13.1%

$116K - $611K

Price Range

$531K - $3.01M

Homes in Los Angeles are 190% more expensive than Chicago

Calculate payment - Chicago Calculate payment - Los Angeles

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $3.2K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$267

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.1%

Rate difference

Chicago, IL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Illinois State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,797/month

$105.6K

Los Angeles, CA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

California State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,530/month

$102.4K

Additional Tax Information

Chicago, IL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:2.2%

Los Angeles, CA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:10.5%

Property Tax:0.8%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.