New York City vs Chicago: Cost of Living

A 2026 planning comparison using the same $90,000 local-currency salary scenario in each city.

USA

New York City

Money left on $90,000 salary$595/mo

Take-home$5,649

Rent$3,627

Total modeled costs$5,054

Open New York City calculator →

USA

Chicago

Money left on $90,000 salary$2,534/mo

Take-home$6,012

Rent$2,253

Total modeled costs$3,478

Open Chicago calculator →

How to use this comparison

The cards use each city's tax model and cost baseline. Currency is local to each city, so cross-country comparisons are not exchange-rate comparisons. Open either city calculator to model your own rent and savings target.