Chicago, IL vs. Washington, DC: Cost of Living
Side-by-side comparison of Chicago and Washington, built from Census Bureau ACS 2020-2024 estimates.
The numbers
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Washington, DC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,711,226 | 681,294 | -74.9% |
| Median household income | $77,902 | $109,870 | +41.0% |
| Median gross rent (monthly) | $1,440 | $1,954 | +35.7% |
| Median home value | $334,100 | $737,100 | +120.6% |
Difference is Washington, DC relative to Chicago, IL.
Purchasing power
Using state-level price parities (BEA RPP 2024: Illinois 100.0, District of Columbia 109.9, U.S. = 100), a $100,000 salary in Chicago, IL buys about as much as $109,947 in Washington, DC.
State-level price index; city prices within a state vary. See methodology.
Housing affordability
| Measure | Chicago, IL | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| Salary needed for median rent (30% rule) | $57,600 | $78,160 |
| Rent burden at local median income | 22.2% | 21.3% |
| Est. affordable home price at median income | $284,181 | $400,799 |
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.