Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Brooklyn

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Brooklyn, New York.

Bottom line

Brooklyn is approximately 27% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $4,693/mo in Brooklyn versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Chicago vs Brooklyn

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Brooklyn · Studio

$2,406

Brooklyn is $948 (65%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Brooklyn · 1 bedroom

$2,511

Brooklyn is $951 (61%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Brooklyn · 2 bedroom

$2,780

Brooklyn is $1,019 (58%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Brooklyn · 3 bedroom

$3,465

Brooklyn is $1,203 (53%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Brooklyn

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Brooklyn · Household income

$78,548

Chicago is $3,249 (4%) higher than Brooklyn

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Brooklyn · Individual earnings

$50,777

Brooklyn is $1,479 (3%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Brooklyn · Per capita

$46,057

Chicago is $1,744 (4%) higher than Brooklyn

Home values in Chicago vs Brooklyn

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Brooklyn · Average home value

$889,700

Brooklyn is $584,500 (192%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Brooklyn · Annual property tax

$6,120

Brooklyn is $67 (1%) higher than Chicago

Energy in Chicago vs Brooklyn

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Brooklyn · Monthly electricity

$140

Brooklyn is $24 (21%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Brooklyn · Monthly gas

$68

Brooklyn is $7 (11%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Brooklyn · Annual total

$2,496

Brooklyn is $372 (18%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Brooklyn

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Brooklyn · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Brooklyn are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Brooklyn · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Brooklyn are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Brooklyn · Uninsured rate

5.9%

Chicago is 3.1% (53%) higher than Brooklyn

Taxes in Chicago vs Brooklyn

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Brooklyn · State income tax

10.9%

Brooklyn is 6.0% (120%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Brooklyn · State sales tax

4.0%

Chicago is 2.3% (56%) higher than Brooklyn

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Brooklyn · Combined sales tax

8.5%

Chicago is 0.3% (4%) higher than Brooklyn

Transportation in Chicago vs Brooklyn

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Brooklyn · Average commute

42.1 min

Brooklyn is 10.2 min (32%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Brooklyn · Drive alone

18.0%

Chicago is 38.2% (212%) higher than Brooklyn

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Brooklyn · Public transit

48.6%

Brooklyn is 35.6% (274%) higher than Chicago

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Brooklyn

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Brooklyn · Single person

$4,693

Brooklyn is $986 (27%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Brooklyn · Couple

$6,130

Brooklyn is $965 (19%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Brooklyn · Family

$9,000

Brooklyn is $1,189 (15%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Brooklyn.

Is Chicago or Brooklyn more expensive?

Brooklyn is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $4,693/mo in Brooklyn, New York, a difference of about 27%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Brooklyn?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $2,511/mo in Brooklyn, New York. Brooklyn is approximately $951 (61%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Brooklyn?

Chicago has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Brooklyn households earn approximately $78,548 per year.

More on Chicago and Brooklyn

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

Chicago profile Brooklyn 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.