Los Angeles, CA vs Chicago, IL: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, Chicago, IL is 8.8% less expensive than Los Angeles, CA (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Los Angeles works out to about $68,400 in Chicago, before taxes.
- Most of the difference is housing, which costs 34.3% less in Chicago. Goods are 0.6% higher and other services 3.7% lower.
- Utility prices (electricity, gas, water) are 47.3% lower in Chicago.
- Typical asking rent is $2,163 a month in Chicago and $2,929 in Los Angeles, $9,192 a year less in Chicago (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $356,000 in Chicago and $950,000 in Los Angeles.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (7.5%).
derived Calculated from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) and Zillow data. Based on an average household's spending; taxes not included. How we calculate.
Category by category
Both cities against the US average (100). The gap in each row is what matters for a move.
Housing drives the gap: 34.3% lower in Chicago than in Los Angeles
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
All items Los Angeles, CA: 113.6 Chicago, IL: 103.6
Goods Los Angeles, CA: 106.6 Chicago, IL: 107.3
Housing (rents) Los Angeles, CA: 170.4 Chicago, IL: 112.0
Utilities Los Angeles, CA: 158.6 Chicago, IL: 83.6
Other services Los Angeles, CA: 104.4 Chicago, IL: 100.5
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Los Angeles, CA | Chicago, IL | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 113.6 | 103.6 |
| Goods | 106.6 | 107.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 170.4 | 112.0 |
| Utilities | 158.6 | 83.6 |
| Other services | 104.4 | 100.5 |
| Category | Los Angeles | Chicago | Chicago vs Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 113.6 | 103.6 | −8.8% |
| Goods | 106.6 | 107.3 | +0.6% |
| Housing (rents) | 170.4 | 112.0 | −34.3% |
| Utilities | 158.6 | 83.6 | −47.3% |
| Other services | 104.4 | 100.5 | −3.7% |
| Typical asking rent | $2,929 | $2,163 | −26.2% |
| Typical home value | $950,000 | $356,000 | −62.6% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Los Angeles | $75,000 | $68,400 | −8.8% |
Index values: BEA, 2024, US = 100. Rent and home values: Data Provided by Zillow Group, September 2026.
How the gap has changed since 2008
The price gap between Los Angeles and Chicago has widened since 2008: 7.9 points then, 10.0 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Los Angeles, CA | Chicago, IL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 113.3 | 105.4 |
| 2009 | 112.2 | 106.5 |
| 2010 | 112.5 | 106.1 |
| 2011 | 111.5 | 106.9 |
| 2012 | 112.1 | 105.1 |
| 2013 | 112.4 | 104.2 |
| 2014 | 112.2 | 103.2 |
| 2015 | 113.3 | 102.6 |
| 2016 | 111.3 | 103.8 |
| 2017 | 110.2 | 105.2 |
| 2018 | 111.0 | 104.2 |
| 2019 | 110.9 | 102.6 |
| 2020 | 113.9 | 104.5 |
| 2021 | 114.2 | 105.5 |
| 2022 | 113.3 | 105.7 |
| 2023 | 114.7 | 102.5 |
| 2024 | 113.6 | 103.6 |
Goods
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Los Angeles, CA | Chicago, IL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 108.0 | 104.5 |
| 2009 | 103.1 | 106.2 |
| 2010 | 104.0 | 104.8 |
| 2011 | 105.1 | 105.8 |
| 2012 | 104.4 | 103.2 |
| 2013 | 104.4 | 101.6 |
| 2014 | 106.2 | 101.7 |
| 2015 | 108.1 | 99.2 |
| 2016 | 107.8 | 99.1 |
| 2017 | 102.5 | 102.2 |
| 2018 | 103.6 | 103.4 |
| 2019 | 105.9 | 105.2 |
| 2020 | 106.5 | 103.4 |
| 2021 | 108.9 | 106.3 |
| 2022 | 106.5 | 106.6 |
| 2023 | 107.1 | 104.3 |
| 2024 | 106.6 | 107.3 |
Housing (rents)
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Los Angeles, CA | Chicago, IL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 183.8 | 124.0 |
| 2009 | 183.2 | 122.9 |
| 2010 | 180.0 | 124.5 |
| 2011 | 178.3 | 122.6 |
| 2012 | 178.4 | 119.8 |
| 2013 | 176.7 | 122.7 |
| 2014 | 178.5 | 122.6 |
| 2015 | 177.2 | 122.4 |
| 2016 | 178.5 | 121.4 |
| 2017 | 178.4 | 119.7 |
| 2018 | 180.5 | 117.8 |
| 2019 | 183.4 | 116.3 |
| 2020 | 183.6 | 117.3 |
| 2021 | 181.5 | 114.0 |
| 2022 | 176.9 | 111.2 |
| 2023 | 173.0 | 111.0 |
| 2024 | 170.4 | 112.0 |
Utilities
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Los Angeles, CA | Chicago, IL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 118.2 | 95.5 |
| 2009 | 119.5 | 90.8 |
| 2010 | 119.3 | 88.6 |
| 2011 | 114.5 | 89.8 |
| 2012 | 116.2 | 86.6 |
| 2013 | 117.9 | 80.3 |
| 2014 | 127.7 | 89.7 |
| 2015 | 125.1 | 91.9 |
| 2016 | 125.2 | 92.5 |
| 2017 | 127.1 | 92.7 |
| 2018 | 107.9 | 91.1 |
| 2019 | 112.9 | 80.5 |
| 2020 | 117.6 | 81.6 |
| 2021 | 132.3 | 82.7 |
| 2022 | 149.1 | 85.5 |
| 2023 | 140.7 | 77.0 |
| 2024 | 158.6 | 83.6 |
Other services
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Los Angeles, CA | Chicago, IL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.9 | 102.0 |
| 2009 | 102.0 | 103.3 |
| 2010 | 102.5 | 103.0 |
| 2011 | 101.1 | 104.3 |
| 2012 | 102.6 | 103.4 |
| 2013 | 103.2 | 102.6 |
| 2014 | 101.8 | 100.1 |
| 2015 | 103.0 | 100.3 |
| 2016 | 99.9 | 102.8 |
| 2017 | 100.8 | 103.9 |
| 2018 | 101.8 | 102.1 |
| 2019 | 100.0 | 99.2 |
| 2020 | 102.7 | 103.0 |
| 2021 | 102.9 | 103.9 |
| 2022 | 103.7 | 104.8 |
| 2023 | 106.1 | 100.6 |
| 2024 | 104.4 | 100.5 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,163 in Chicago vs $2,929 in Los Angeles
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- United States
Source: Zillow Observed Rent Index (typical asking rent, all homes, smoothed), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Los Angeles, CA | Chicago, IL | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $1,768 | $1,347 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | $1,809 | $1,375 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | $1,843 | $1,376 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | $1,858 | $1,363 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | $1,888 | $1,392 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | $1,925 | $1,414 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | $1,948 | $1,417 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | $1,955 | $1,391 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | $2,007 | $1,428 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | $2,042 | $1,458 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | $2,062 | $1,450 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | $2,071 | $1,430 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | $2,104 | $1,463 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | $2,132 | $1,492 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | $2,155 | $1,483 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | $2,171 | $1,467 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | $2,190 | $1,501 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | $2,222 | $1,532 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | $2,239 | $1,528 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | $2,246 | $1,511 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | $2,260 | $1,546 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | $2,236 | $1,545 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | $2,236 | $1,525 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | $2,238 | $1,484 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $2,275 | $1,515 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $2,338 | $1,587 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $2,468 | $1,624 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $2,523 | $1,630 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $2,591 | $1,677 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $2,668 | $1,743 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $2,706 | $1,766 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $2,689 | $1,758 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $2,706 | $1,798 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $2,733 | $1,851 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $2,759 | $1,865 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $2,742 | $1,856 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $2,766 | $1,893 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $2,796 | $1,943 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $2,819 | $1,953 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $2,805 | $1,954 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $2,865 | $1,999 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $2,871 | $2,055 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $2,878 | $2,066 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $2,866 | $2,059 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $2,890 | $2,109 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $2,916 | $2,163 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $2,929 | $2,163 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $356,000 in Chicago vs $950,000 in Los Angeles
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- United States
Source: Zillow Home Value Index (typical home value, middle tier, smoothed, seasonally adjusted), through September 2026. Data Provided by Zillow Group.
Show the numbers
| Los Angeles, CA | Chicago, IL | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $507K | $199K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $509K | $201K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $505K | $203K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $495K | $207K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $518K | $210K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $538K | $212K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $528K | $213K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $524K | $216K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $557K | $221K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $578K | $223K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $579K | $225K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $591K | $228K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $613K | $232K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $627K | $235K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $644K | $235K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $660K | $236K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $643K | $239K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $635K | $241K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $645K | $240K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $664K | $240K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $669K | $244K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $666K | $245K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $682K | $246K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $723K | $255K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $741K | $265K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $769K | $274K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $797K | $278K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $822K | $280K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $864K | $292K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $897K | $302K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $890K | $300K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $878K | $298K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $849K | $297K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $858K | $304K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $896K | $311K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $922K | $314K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $918K | $318K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $931K | $325K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $947K | $327K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $961K | $331K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $954K | $334K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $941K | $335K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $938K | $339K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $948K | $343K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $951K | $348K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $947K | $351K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $950K | $356K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Los Angeles, CA
- Cost of living in Chicago, IL
- Reverse: moving from Chicago to Los Angeles
Related comparisons
What this comparison leaves out
- Taxes. State and local income, sales and property taxes can change the result a lot, especially between states.
- Neighborhoods. These are metro-wide averages; a city center and its outer suburbs can differ by more than two metros do.
- Your own spending mix. The default uses an average household. Use the housing slider above if rent is a bigger share of your budget.
- Timing. BEA price levels are for 2024; Zillow figures are monthly and newer.