Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Seattle

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Seattle, Washington.

Bottom line

Seattle is approximately 24% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $4,588/mo in Seattle versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Chicago vs Seattle

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Seattle · Studio

$2,238

Seattle is $780 (53%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Seattle · 1 bedroom

$2,293

Seattle is $733 (47%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Seattle · 2 bedroom

$2,671

Seattle is $910 (52%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Seattle · 3 bedroom

$3,521

Seattle is $1,259 (56%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Seattle

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Seattle · Household income

$122,148

Seattle is $40,351 (49%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Seattle · Individual earnings

$67,141

Seattle is $17,843 (36%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Seattle · Per capita

$71,062

Seattle is $23,261 (49%) higher than Chicago

Home values in Chicago vs Seattle

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Seattle · Average home value

$811,200

Seattle is $506,000 (166%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Seattle · Annual property tax

$6,785

Seattle is $732 (12%) higher than Chicago

Energy in Chicago vs Seattle

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Seattle · Monthly electricity

$109

Chicago is $7 (6%) higher than Seattle

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Seattle · Monthly gas

$48

Chicago is $13 (27%) higher than Seattle

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Seattle · Annual total

$1,884

Chicago is $240 (13%) higher than Seattle

Healthcare in Chicago vs Seattle

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Seattle · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Seattle are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Seattle · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Seattle are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Seattle · Uninsured rate

5.2%

Chicago is 3.8% (73%) higher than Seattle

Taxes in Chicago vs Seattle

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Seattle · State income tax

0.0%

Chicago is 5.0% higher than Seattle

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Seattle · State sales tax

6.5%

Seattle is 0.3% (4%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Seattle · Combined sales tax

10.2%

Seattle is 1.4% (16%) higher than Chicago

Transportation in Chicago vs Seattle

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Seattle · Average commute

28.1 min

Chicago is 3.8 min (14%) higher than Seattle

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Seattle · Drive alone

51.8%

Chicago is 4.4% (8%) higher than Seattle

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Seattle · Public transit

8.0%

Chicago is 5.0% (63%) higher than Seattle

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Seattle

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Seattle · Single person

$4,588

Seattle is $881 (24%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Seattle · Couple

$6,424

Seattle is $1,259 (24%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Seattle · Family

$9,440

Seattle is $1,629 (21%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Seattle.

Is Chicago or Seattle more expensive?

Seattle is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $4,588/mo in Seattle, Washington, a difference of about 24%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Seattle?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $2,293/mo in Seattle, Washington. Seattle is approximately $733 (47%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Seattle?

Seattle has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Seattle households earn approximately $122,148 per year.

More on Chicago and Seattle

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

Chicago profile Seattle profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.