Skip to main content
LiveWhere us
Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Los Angeles

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Los Angeles, California.

Bottom line

Los Angeles is approximately 12% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $4,135/mo in Los Angeles versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Chicago vs Los Angeles

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio
$1,458
Los Angeles · Studio
$1,856
Los Angeles is $398 (27%) higher than Chicago
Chicago · 1 bedroom
$1,560
Los Angeles · 1 bedroom
$2,081
Los Angeles is $521 (33%) higher than Chicago
Chicago · 2 bedroom
$1,761
Los Angeles · 2 bedroom
$2,625
Los Angeles is $864 (49%) higher than Chicago
Chicago · 3 bedroom
$2,262
Los Angeles · 3 bedroom
$3,335
Los Angeles is $1,073 (47%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Los Angeles

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income
$81,797
Los Angeles · Household income
$87,760
Los Angeles is $5,963 (7%) higher than Chicago
Chicago · Individual earnings
$49,298
Los Angeles · Individual earnings
$43,477
Chicago is $5,821 (13%) higher than Los Angeles
Chicago · Per capita
$47,801
Los Angeles · Per capita
$44,319
Chicago is $3,482 (8%) higher than Los Angeles

Home values in Chicago vs Los Angeles

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value
$305,200
Los Angeles · Average home value
$783,300
Los Angeles is $478,100 (157%) higher than Chicago
Chicago · Annual property tax
$6,053
Los Angeles · Annual property tax
$5,438
Chicago is $615 (11%) higher than Los Angeles

Energy in Chicago vs Los Angeles

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity
$116
Los Angeles · Monthly electricity
$167
Los Angeles is $51 (44%) higher than Chicago
Chicago · Monthly gas
$61
Los Angeles · Monthly gas
$50
Chicago is $11 (22%) higher than Los Angeles
Chicago · Annual total
$2,124
Los Angeles · Annual total
$2,604
Los Angeles is $480 (23%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Los Angeles

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium
$480
Los Angeles · Individual premium
$480
Chicago and Los Angeles are about the same
Chicago · Family premium
$1,350
Los Angeles · Family premium
$1,350
Chicago and Los Angeles are about the same
Chicago · Uninsured rate
9.0%
Los Angeles · Uninsured rate
8.7%
Chicago is 0.3% (3%) higher than Los Angeles

Taxes in Chicago vs Los Angeles

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax
5.0%
Los Angeles · State income tax
13.3%
Los Angeles is 8.4% (169%) higher than Chicago
Chicago · State sales tax
6.3%
Los Angeles · State sales tax
7.3%
Los Angeles is 1.0% (16%) higher than Chicago
Chicago · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Los Angeles · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Los Angeles is 0.0% (0%) higher than Chicago

Transportation in Chicago vs Los Angeles

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute
31.9 min
Los Angeles · Average commute
30.8 min
Chicago is 1.1 min (4%) higher than Los Angeles
Chicago · Drive alone
56.2%
Los Angeles · Drive alone
66.4%
Los Angeles is 10.2% (18%) higher than Chicago
Chicago · Public transit
13.0%
Los Angeles · Public transit
4.2%
Chicago is 8.8% (210%) higher than Los Angeles

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Los Angeles

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person
$3,707
Los Angeles · Single person
$4,135
Los Angeles is $428 (12%) higher than Chicago
Chicago · Couple
$5,165
Los Angeles · Couple
$6,334
Los Angeles is $1,169 (23%) higher than Chicago
Chicago · Family
$7,811
Los Angeles · Family
$9,251
Los Angeles is $1,440 (18%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Los Angeles.

Is Chicago or Los Angeles more expensive?

Los Angeles is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $4,135/mo in Los Angeles, California, a difference of about 12%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Los Angeles?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $2,081/mo in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles is approximately $521 (33%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Los Angeles households earn approximately $87,760 per year.

More on Chicago and Los Angeles

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

Chicago profile Los Angeles 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.