Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Chicago and Wilmington 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 · Delaware salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Chicago has a housing index of 112 while Wilmington sits at 104 (national average = 100). The median home in Chicago costs $310,000 compared to $235,000 in Wilmington, a difference of $75,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Chicago versus $1,200 in Wilmington.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Chicago scores 104 while Wilmington scores 103. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Chicago (101) are lower than Wilmington (106). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Chicago is $62,097 compared to $46,520 in Wilmington. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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