Boston, MA vs. Chicago, IL: Cost of Living
Side-by-side comparison of Boston and Chicago, built from Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 estimates.
The numbers
| Measure | Boston, MA | Chicago, IL | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 666,442 | 2,711,226 | +306.8% |
| Median household income | $97,344 | $77,902 | -20.0% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $2,147 | $1,440 | -32.9% |
| Median home value | $731,700 | $334,100 | -54.3% |
Difference is Chicago, IL relative to Boston, MA.
Purchasing power
Using state-level price parities (BEA RPP 2024: Massachusetts 105.8, Illinois 100.0, U.S. = 100), a $100,000 salary in Boston, MA buys about as much as $94,517 in Chicago, IL.
State-level price index; city prices within a state vary. See methodology.
Housing affordability
| Measure | Boston, MA | Chicago, IL |
|---|---|---|
| Salary needed for median rent (30% rule) | $85,880 | $57,600 |
| Rent burden at local median income | 26.5% | 22.2% |
| Est. affordable home price at median income | $355,105 | $284,181 |
Home price assumes 6.67% 30-yr rate (FRED, 2026-08), 20% down, 28% front-end DTI, 1.5%/yr taxes+insurance. Not financial advice.
Full city profiles
About this data
- American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates — data period 2020-2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Regional Price Parities — data period 2024, retrieved August 13, 2026.
- Federal Reserve Economic Data — data period 2026-08, retrieved August 13, 2026.
Figures are shown exactly as published by the source or derived by the documented formulas on our methodology page. Where a source suppresses an estimate, we show “—” rather than a substitute value.