Chicago, IL vs Seattle, WA
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
Housing costs separate Chicago and Seattle more than any other line item — $315,000 versus $912,000 for a typical home, a 65% spread. Seattle also has no state income tax, while the other state tops out at 5.0% — a meaningful annual difference at higher income levels.
Median Home Value
$315,200 ✓
$912,100
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$848,869
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo ✓
$1,998/mo
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
44.3%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
38.0x
Median Household Income
$75,134
$121,984 ✓
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$82,508
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
4.2% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.8%
9.9%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
28.9 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
37.6%
Public Transit %
19.3%
13.9%
Work From Home %
18.3%
31.3%
State Income Tax
5.0%
None
Total Sales Tax
8.7% ✓
9.2%
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
1.0%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.9%
37.6%
Median Age
35.7
35.5
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
37.8"
Annual Snowfall
—
3.8"
Chicago, IL 3 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Total Sales Tax
Seattle, WA 2 wins
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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