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Chicago vs Salt Lake City

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Salt Lake City, Utah.

Bottom line

Chicago is approximately 6% more expensive than Salt Lake City. A single person needs about $3,707/mo in Chicago versus $3,494/mo in Salt Lake City.

Rent in Chicago vs Salt Lake City

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio
$1,458
Salt Lake City · Studio
$1,243
Chicago is $215 (17%) higher than Salt Lake City
Chicago · 1 bedroom
$1,560
Salt Lake City · 1 bedroom
$1,453
Chicago is $107 (7%) higher than Salt Lake City
Chicago · 2 bedroom
$1,761
Salt Lake City · 2 bedroom
$1,748
Chicago is $13 (1%) higher than Salt Lake City
Chicago · 3 bedroom
$2,262
Salt Lake City · 3 bedroom
$2,348
Salt Lake City is $86 (4%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Salt Lake City

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income
$81,797
Salt Lake City · Household income
$94,658
Salt Lake City is $12,861 (16%) higher than Chicago
Chicago · Individual earnings
$49,298
Salt Lake City · Individual earnings
$46,252
Chicago is $3,046 (7%) higher than Salt Lake City
Chicago · Per capita
$47,801
Salt Lake City · Per capita
$43,393
Chicago is $4,408 (10%) higher than Salt Lake City

Home values in Chicago vs Salt Lake City

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value
$305,200
Salt Lake City · Average home value
$484,500
Salt Lake City is $179,300 (59%) higher than Chicago
Chicago · Annual property tax
$6,053
Salt Lake City · Annual property tax
$2,726
Chicago is $3,327 (122%) higher than Salt Lake City

Energy in Chicago vs Salt Lake City

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity
$116
Salt Lake City · Monthly electricity
$90
Chicago is $26 (29%) higher than Salt Lake City
Chicago · Monthly gas
$61
Salt Lake City · Monthly gas
$50
Chicago is $11 (22%) higher than Salt Lake City
Chicago · Annual total
$2,124
Salt Lake City · Annual total
$1,680
Chicago is $444 (26%) higher than Salt Lake City

Healthcare in Chicago vs Salt Lake City

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium
$480
Salt Lake City · Individual premium
$480
Chicago and Salt Lake City are about the same
Chicago · Family premium
$1,350
Salt Lake City · Family premium
$1,350
Chicago and Salt Lake City are about the same
Chicago · Uninsured rate
9.0%
Salt Lake City · Uninsured rate
9.6%
Salt Lake City is 0.6% (7%) higher than Chicago

Taxes in Chicago vs Salt Lake City

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax
5.0%
Salt Lake City · State income tax
4.7%
Chicago is 0.3% (6%) higher than Salt Lake City
Chicago · State sales tax
6.3%
Salt Lake City · State sales tax
6.1%
Chicago is 0.2% (2%) higher than Salt Lake City
Chicago · Combined sales tax
8.8%
Salt Lake City · Combined sales tax
7.2%
Chicago is 1.6% (23%) higher than Salt Lake City

Transportation in Chicago vs Salt Lake City

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute
31.9 min
Salt Lake City · Average commute
22.4 min
Chicago is 9.5 min (42%) higher than Salt Lake City
Chicago · Drive alone
56.2%
Salt Lake City · Drive alone
66.8%
Salt Lake City is 10.6% (19%) higher than Chicago
Chicago · Public transit
13.0%
Salt Lake City · Public transit
2.3%
Chicago is 10.7% (465%) higher than Salt Lake City

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Salt Lake City

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person
$3,707
Salt Lake City · Single person
$3,494
Chicago is $213 (6%) higher than Salt Lake City
Chicago · Couple
$5,165
Salt Lake City · Couple
$5,349
Salt Lake City is $184 (4%) higher than Chicago
Chicago · Family
$7,811
Salt Lake City · Family
$8,084
Salt Lake City is $273 (3%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Salt Lake City.

Is Chicago or Salt Lake City more expensive?

Chicago is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,494/mo in Salt Lake City, Utah, a difference of about 6%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Salt Lake City?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,453/mo in Salt Lake City, Utah. Chicago is approximately $107 (7%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Salt Lake City households earn approximately $94,658 per year.

More on Chicago and Salt Lake City

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

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.