Wenatchee, WA vs Chicago, IL: cost of living compared
Price levels from BEA (2024); rent and home values from Zillow (September 2026).
The short answer
- Overall, living costs in Chicago, IL and Wenatchee, WA are within 1% of each other (BEA, 2024).
- To keep the same standard of living, $75,000 in Wenatchee works out to about $74,800 in Chicago, before taxes.
- Housing is 2.6% lower in Chicago, goods 2.1% higher and other services 1.0% higher, which roughly cancel out.
- Utility prices (electricity, gas, water) are 16.9% lower in Chicago.
- Typical asking rent is $2,163 a month in Chicago and $1,756 in Wenatchee, $4,884 a year more in Chicago (Zillow, September 2026).
- A typical home is valued at about $356,000 in Chicago and $518,000 in Wenatchee.
- The gap is about where it was in 2019 (1.4%).
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.
Overall prices are about the same in Wenatchee and Chicago
Price level by category, 2024. US average = 100.
- Wenatchee, WA
- Chicago, IL
All items Wenatchee, WA: 103.9 Chicago, IL: 103.6
Goods Wenatchee, WA: 105.0 Chicago, IL: 107.3
Housing (rents) Wenatchee, WA: 115.0 Chicago, IL: 112.0
Utilities Wenatchee, WA: 100.6 Chicago, IL: 83.6
Other services Wenatchee, WA: 99.5 Chicago, IL: 100.5
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Wenatchee, WA | Chicago, IL | |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 103.9 | 103.6 |
| Goods | 105.0 | 107.3 |
| Housing (rents) | 115.0 | 112.0 |
| Utilities | 100.6 | 83.6 |
| Other services | 99.5 | 100.5 |
| Category | Wenatchee | Chicago | Chicago vs Wenatchee |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items | 103.9 | 103.6 | −0.3% |
| Goods | 105.0 | 107.3 | +2.1% |
| Housing (rents) | 115.0 | 112.0 | −2.6% |
| Utilities | 100.6 | 83.6 | −16.9% |
| Other services | 99.5 | 100.5 | +1.0% |
| Typical asking rent | $1,756 | $2,163 | +23.2% |
| Typical home value | $518,000 | $356,000 | −31.3% |
| Salary to match $75,000 in Wenatchee | $75,000 | $74,800 | −0.3% |
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 Wenatchee and Chicago has narrowed since 2008: 7.6 points then, 0.3 now
Overall price level each year, 2008–2024. US average = 100.
- Wenatchee, WA
- Chicago, IL
US average = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Wenatchee, WA | Chicago, IL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 97.8 | 105.4 |
| 2009 | 98.3 | 106.5 |
| 2010 | 94.7 | 106.1 |
| 2011 | 97.4 | 106.9 |
| 2012 | 97.0 | 105.1 |
| 2013 | 97.9 | 104.2 |
| 2014 | 97.3 | 103.2 |
| 2015 | 98.5 | 102.6 |
| 2016 | 97.6 | 103.8 |
| 2017 | 101.0 | 105.2 |
| 2018 | 102.0 | 104.2 |
| 2019 | 104.1 | 102.6 |
| 2020 | 102.4 | 104.5 |
| 2021 | 103.0 | 105.5 |
| 2022 | 103.0 | 105.7 |
| 2023 | 101.9 | 102.5 |
| 2024 | 103.9 | 103.6 |
Goods
- Wenatchee, WA
- Chicago, IL
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Wenatchee, WA | Chicago, IL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 101.7 | 104.5 |
| 2009 | 100.3 | 106.2 |
| 2010 | 99.2 | 104.8 |
| 2011 | 98.1 | 105.8 |
| 2012 | 96.4 | 103.2 |
| 2013 | 95.4 | 101.6 |
| 2014 | 97.9 | 101.7 |
| 2015 | 103.8 | 99.2 |
| 2016 | 104.7 | 99.1 |
| 2017 | 102.0 | 102.2 |
| 2018 | 104.8 | 103.4 |
| 2019 | 104.7 | 105.2 |
| 2020 | 104.5 | 103.4 |
| 2021 | 106.6 | 106.3 |
| 2022 | 109.4 | 106.6 |
| 2023 | 104.9 | 104.3 |
| 2024 | 105.0 | 107.3 |
Housing (rents)
- Wenatchee, WA
- Chicago, IL
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Wenatchee, WA | Chicago, IL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 87.2 | 124.0 |
| 2009 | 95.5 | 122.9 |
| 2010 | 83.4 | 124.5 |
| 2011 | 94.2 | 122.6 |
| 2012 | 97.3 | 119.8 |
| 2013 | 96.4 | 122.7 |
| 2014 | 92.8 | 122.6 |
| 2015 | 89.2 | 122.4 |
| 2016 | 90.3 | 121.4 |
| 2017 | 103.8 | 119.7 |
| 2018 | 95.5 | 117.8 |
| 2019 | 111.1 | 116.3 |
| 2020 | 104.2 | 117.3 |
| 2021 | 110.3 | 114.0 |
| 2022 | 93.0 | 111.2 |
| 2023 | 97.6 | 111.0 |
| 2024 | 115.0 | 112.0 |
Utilities
- Wenatchee, WA
- Chicago, IL
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Wenatchee, WA | Chicago, IL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 66.1 | 95.5 |
| 2009 | 69.7 | 90.8 |
| 2010 | 76.5 | 88.6 |
| 2011 | 81.1 | 89.8 |
| 2012 | 80.6 | 86.6 |
| 2013 | 80.5 | 80.3 |
| 2014 | 79.8 | 89.7 |
| 2015 | 79.9 | 91.9 |
| 2016 | 86.5 | 92.5 |
| 2017 | 84.2 | 92.7 |
| 2018 | 88.7 | 91.1 |
| 2019 | 91.9 | 80.5 |
| 2020 | 92.1 | 81.6 |
| 2021 | 93.9 | 82.7 |
| 2022 | 88.6 | 85.5 |
| 2023 | 85.0 | 77.0 |
| 2024 | 100.6 | 83.6 |
Other services
- Wenatchee, WA
- Chicago, IL
US = 100
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024 (US = 100).
Show the numbers
| Wenatchee, WA | Chicago, IL | |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 102.4 | 102.0 |
| 2009 | 100.5 | 103.3 |
| 2010 | 98.0 | 103.0 |
| 2011 | 99.3 | 104.3 |
| 2012 | 98.0 | 103.4 |
| 2013 | 101.1 | 102.6 |
| 2014 | 99.9 | 100.1 |
| 2015 | 99.9 | 100.3 |
| 2016 | 97.2 | 102.8 |
| 2017 | 100.2 | 103.9 |
| 2018 | 103.4 | 102.1 |
| 2019 | 101.6 | 99.2 |
| 2020 | 100.7 | 103.0 |
| 2021 | 98.8 | 103.9 |
| 2022 | 103.8 | 104.8 |
| 2023 | 102.6 | 100.6 |
| 2024 | 99.5 | 100.5 |
Rent and home values
Typical asking rent: $2,163 in Chicago vs $1,756 in Wenatchee
Typical asking rent for a new lease, dollars per month. Quarterly.
- Wenatchee, WA
- 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
| Wenatchee, WA | Chicago, IL | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | – | $1,347 | $1,145 |
| Jun 2015 | – | $1,375 | $1,170 |
| Sep 2015 | – | $1,376 | $1,181 |
| Dec 2015 | – | $1,363 | $1,182 |
| Mar 2016 | – | $1,392 | $1,195 |
| Jun 2016 | – | $1,414 | $1,219 |
| Sep 2016 | – | $1,417 | $1,225 |
| Dec 2016 | – | $1,391 | $1,222 |
| Mar 2017 | – | $1,428 | $1,245 |
| Jun 2017 | – | $1,458 | $1,270 |
| Sep 2017 | – | $1,450 | $1,276 |
| Dec 2017 | – | $1,430 | $1,275 |
| Mar 2018 | – | $1,463 | $1,296 |
| Jun 2018 | – | $1,492 | $1,320 |
| Sep 2018 | – | $1,483 | $1,327 |
| Dec 2018 | – | $1,467 | $1,329 |
| Mar 2019 | – | $1,501 | $1,349 |
| Jun 2019 | – | $1,532 | $1,376 |
| Sep 2019 | – | $1,528 | $1,383 |
| Dec 2019 | – | $1,511 | $1,381 |
| Mar 2020 | – | $1,546 | $1,402 |
| Jun 2020 | – | $1,545 | $1,406 |
| Sep 2020 | – | $1,525 | $1,410 |
| Dec 2020 | – | $1,484 | $1,407 |
| Mar 2021 | $1,415 | $1,515 | $1,443 |
| Jun 2021 | $1,466 | $1,587 | $1,512 |
| Sep 2021 | $1,537 | $1,624 | $1,590 |
| Dec 2021 | $1,571 | $1,630 | $1,622 |
| Mar 2022 | $1,620 | $1,677 | $1,661 |
| Jun 2022 | $1,677 | $1,743 | $1,721 |
| Sep 2022 | $1,691 | $1,766 | $1,748 |
| Dec 2022 | $1,648 | $1,758 | $1,735 |
| Mar 2023 | $1,681 | $1,798 | $1,757 |
| Jun 2023 | $1,662 | $1,851 | $1,785 |
| Sep 2023 | $1,690 | $1,865 | $1,797 |
| Dec 2023 | $1,664 | $1,856 | $1,786 |
| Mar 2024 | $1,695 | $1,893 | $1,807 |
| Jun 2024 | $1,720 | $1,943 | $1,837 |
| Sep 2024 | $1,741 | $1,953 | $1,845 |
| Dec 2024 | $1,725 | $1,954 | $1,836 |
| Mar 2025 | $1,736 | $1,999 | $1,860 |
| Jun 2025 | $1,730 | $2,055 | $1,880 |
| Sep 2025 | $1,748 | $2,066 | $1,881 |
| Dec 2025 | $1,722 | $2,059 | $1,873 |
| Mar 2026 | $1,742 | $2,109 | $1,894 |
| Jun 2026 | $1,767 | $2,163 | $1,921 |
| Sep 2026 | $1,756 | $2,163 | $1,932 |
Typical home value: $356,000 in Chicago vs $518,000 in Wenatchee
Typical home value, dollars. Quarterly.
- Wenatchee, WA
- 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
| Wenatchee, WA | Chicago, IL | United States | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 2015 | $249K | $199K | $189K |
| Jun 2015 | $256K | $201K | $192K |
| Sep 2015 | $262K | $203K | $195K |
| Dec 2015 | $270K | $207K | $199K |
| Mar 2016 | $274K | $210K | $202K |
| Jun 2016 | $276K | $212K | $204K |
| Sep 2016 | $280K | $213K | $206K |
| Dec 2016 | $286K | $216K | $209K |
| Mar 2017 | $291K | $221K | $213K |
| Jun 2017 | $297K | $223K | $216K |
| Sep 2017 | $303K | $225K | $219K |
| Dec 2017 | $309K | $228K | $223K |
| Mar 2018 | $316K | $232K | $227K |
| Jun 2018 | $323K | $235K | $230K |
| Sep 2018 | $332K | $235K | $234K |
| Dec 2018 | $338K | $236K | $236K |
| Mar 2019 | $345K | $239K | $239K |
| Jun 2019 | $355K | $241K | $242K |
| Sep 2019 | $362K | $240K | $244K |
| Dec 2019 | $372K | $240K | $247K |
| Mar 2020 | $379K | $244K | $252K |
| Jun 2020 | $388K | $245K | $255K |
| Sep 2020 | $396K | $246K | $260K |
| Dec 2020 | $414K | $255K | $271K |
| Mar 2021 | $433K | $265K | $282K |
| Jun 2021 | $456K | $274K | $296K |
| Sep 2021 | $474K | $278K | $306K |
| Dec 2021 | $482K | $280K | $314K |
| Mar 2022 | $502K | $292K | $330K |
| Jun 2022 | $518K | $302K | $346K |
| Sep 2022 | $511K | $300K | $348K |
| Dec 2022 | $503K | $298K | $345K |
| Mar 2023 | $497K | $297K | $343K |
| Jun 2023 | $502K | $304K | $347K |
| Sep 2023 | $505K | $311K | $352K |
| Dec 2023 | $503K | $314K | $354K |
| Mar 2024 | $504K | $318K | $357K |
| Jun 2024 | $509K | $325K | $361K |
| Sep 2024 | $511K | $327K | $361K |
| Dec 2024 | $516K | $331K | $363K |
| Mar 2025 | $517K | $334K | $364K |
| Jun 2025 | $515K | $335K | $362K |
| Sep 2025 | $514K | $339K | $362K |
| Dec 2025 | $519K | $343K | $364K |
| Mar 2026 | $522K | $348K | $366K |
| Jun 2026 | $519K | $351K | $365K |
| Sep 2026 | $518K | $356K | $366K |
More about each city
- Cost of living in Wenatchee, WA
- Cost of living in Chicago, IL
- Reverse: moving from Chicago to Wenatchee
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.