Los Angeles, CA vs Chicago, IL
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
The headline difference between these two markets is housing: a typical home in Chicago runs $315,000 versus $880,000 in Los Angeles, a 64% gap that dominates most relocation math. State income-tax burden also tilts toward Chicago — a top rate of 5.0% versus 13.3% — which compounds at higher incomes.
Median Home Value
$879,500
$315,200 ✓
Zillow Home Value
$941,985
$312,456
Median Gross Rent
$1,879/mo
$1,380/mo ✓
Owner Occupied %
36.3%
45.5%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
39.0x
19.0x
Median Household Income
$80,366 ✓
$75,134
Per Capita Income
$46,270
$48,148
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
7.9% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.6%
16.8%
Avg Commute (min)
34.1 min
36.7 min
Drove Alone %
61.4%
46.0%
Public Transit %
6.7%
19.3%
Work From Home %
17.3%
18.3%
State Income Tax
13.3%
5.0%
Total Sales Tax
8.7% ✓
8.7%
Property Tax Rate
0.7%
2.2%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.5%
24.9%
Median Age
36.9
35.7
Avg High Temp
70.4°F
60.3°F
Annual Precipitation
13.4"
34.4"
Los Angeles, CA 2 wins
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Median Household Income
Chicago, IL 3 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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