Cost of Living: Seattle vs Chicago
Purchasing Power Parity: how far does your salary go in Seattle compared to Chicago?
In Seattle, a salary of $100,000 is equivalent to about $91K in Chicago. That means Chicago offers 10% 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
$91K
To maintain the same standard of living, you'd need $91K in Chicago vs $100K in Seattle
Seattle
80.5
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
Chicago
73.1
Cost of Living Index (NYC = 100)
How They Compare
Chicago is 9% cheaper than Seattle
What Top Roles Earn Here
Real salary data for roles with earnings data in both Seattle and Chicago, adjusted for cost of living.
| Role | Seattle median | Chicago median | COL-adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $180K | $139K | Seattle wins by 15% |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $211K | $191K | roughly equal |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $161K | $135K | Seattle wins by 8% |
| Data Scientists | $163K | $134K | Seattle wins by 10% |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $134K | $116K | Seattle wins by 5% |
Salary data from public records. Adjusted for cost of living using PPP ratio (0.91x). 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 Seattle vs Chicago?
A: Seattle is approximately 10% more expensive than Chicago, based on Numbeo cost of living indices. A salary of $100,000 in Chicago is equivalent to about $110K in Seattle. However, actual costs vary by lifestyle, housing choices, and tax situation.
Q:What salary do I need in Seattle to match $100,000 in Chicago?
A: To maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Chicago, you would need approximately $110K in Seattle. 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 Seattle and Chicago?
A: Based on 5 roles with salary data in both cities, Seattle wins by 15% 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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