Cost of Living: Chicago vs Raleigh
Purchasing Power Parity: how far does your salary go in Chicago compared to Raleigh?
In Chicago, a salary of $100,000 is equivalent to about $85K in Raleigh. That means Raleigh offers 18% more spending power. Your money goes further in Raleigh.
Based on Numbeo cost of living indices. Full methodology.
Salary Converter
Equivalent salary needed in Raleigh
$85K
To maintain the same standard of living, you'd need $85K in Raleigh vs $100K in Chicago
Chicago
73.1
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
Raleigh
61.8
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
How They Compare
Raleigh is 15% cheaper than Chicago
What Top Roles Earn Here
Real salary data for roles with earnings data in both Chicago and Raleigh, adjusted for cost of living.
| Role | Chicago median | Raleigh median | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $139K | $125K | Raleigh wins by 6% |
| Cloud Architect | $88K | $95K | Raleigh wins by 27% |
| Data Scientists | $134K | $114K | roughly equal |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $135K | $115K | roughly equal |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $191K | $160K | roughly equal |
Salary data from public records. Adjusted for cost of living using PPP ratio (0.85x). 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 Chicago vs Raleigh?
A: Chicago is approximately 18% more expensive than Raleigh, based on Numbeo cost of living indices. A salary of $100,000 in Raleigh is equivalent to about $118K in Chicago. However, actual costs vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation.
Q:What salary do I need in Chicago to match $100,000 in Raleigh?
A: To maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Raleigh, you would need approximately $118K in Chicago. 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 Chicago and Raleigh?
A: Based on 5 roles with salary data in both cities, Raleigh wins by 6% 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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