Cost of Living: Boston vs Chicago
Purchasing Power Parity: how far does your salary go in Boston compared to Chicago?
In Boston, a salary of $100,000 is equivalent to about $88K in Chicago. That means Chicago offers 14% more spending power. Your money goes further in Chicago.
Based on Numbeo cost of living indices. Full methodology.
Salary Converter
Equivalent salary needed in Chicago
$88K
To maintain the same standard of living, you'd need $88K in Chicago vs $100K in Boston
Boston
83.1
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
Chicago
73.1
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
How They Compare
Chicago is 12% cheaper than Boston
What Top Roles Earn Here
Real salary data for roles with earnings data in both Boston and Chicago, adjusted for cost of living.
| Role | Boston median | Chicago median | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $153K | $139K | Chicago wins by 3% |
| Data Scientists | $114K | $134K | Chicago wins by 34% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $71K | $66K | Chicago wins by 6% |
| Accountants and Auditors | $115K | $107K | Chicago wins by 6% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $141K | $135K | Chicago wins by 9% |
Salary data from public records. Adjusted for cost of living using PPP ratio (0.88x). Methodology.
See real salary data
Check actual public salaries for these cities on RoleHue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:How much more does it cost to live in Boston vs Chicago?
A: Boston is approximately 14% more expensive than Chicago, based on Numbeo cost of living indices. A salary of $100,000 in Chicago is equivalent to about $114K in Boston. However, actual costs vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation.
Q:What salary do I need in Boston to match $100,000 in Chicago?
A: To maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Chicago, you would need approximately $114K in Boston. This accounts for differences in housing, groceries, transportation, and other living expenses between the two cities.
Q:Are these cost of living differences accurate for everyone?
A: Cost of living indices provide a useful benchmark, but individual experiences vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation. The data comes from Numbeo's crowd-sourced cost of living database and reflects average spending patterns. Use the interactive calculator above to model your specific salary scenario.
Q:How do real salaries compare between Boston and Chicago?
A: Based on 5 roles with salary data in both cities, Chicago wins by 3% when adjusted for cost of living. See the role comparison table below for detailed breakdowns with links to full salary pages.
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