Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Chicago and Salt Lake City have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Illinois salaries · Utah salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Chicago has a housing index of 112 while Salt Lake City sits at 120 (national average = 100). The median home in Chicago costs $310,000 compared to $440,000 in Salt Lake City, a difference of $130,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Chicago versus $1,500 in Salt Lake City.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Chicago scores 104 while Salt Lake City scores 99. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Chicago (101) are higher than Salt Lake City (97). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Chicago is $62,097 compared to $60,590 in Salt Lake City. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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