Carmel wins overall by ~9% (COL index)
Cost of living: Chicago vs Carmel (2026)
A $79,500 salary in Chicago buys roughly what $72,813 does in Carmel (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
Your move simulator
Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
−$7,659/yr
Favoring Carmel for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $638/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~24 months and still keep ~$77/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Chicago Illinois | Carmel Indiana | Who wins | Your impact at $80K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,500 | $1,150Wins | Carmel wins −$350/mo | $4,200/yr saves in Carmel |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,900 | $1,450Wins | Carmel wins −$450/mo | $5,400/yr saves in Carmel |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,600 | $1,900Wins | Carmel wins −$700/mo | $8,400/yr saves in Carmel |
| Median home price | $360KBetter | $380K | Chicago wins +$20K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 102 | 99Better | Carmel wins -3 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $15 | $13Wins | Carmel wins −$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $60 | $55Better | Carmel wins −$5/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $105 | $40Wins | Carmel wins −$65/mo | $780/yr saves in Carmel |
| Gas price/gal | $3.40 | $3.05Better | Carmel wins −$0.35 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $165 | $136Wins | Carmel wins −$29/mo | $348/yr saves in Carmel |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $165 | $152Better | Carmel wins −$13/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $65 | $62Better | Carmel wins −$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $67K | $92KWins | Carmel wins +$25K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.9% | 3.2%Wins | Carmel wins -1.7 pp | $1,352/yr saves in Carmel |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 10.3% | 7.0%Wins | Carmel wins -3.3 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $16.00 | $14.00Wins | Carmel wins −$2.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $45 | $38Wins | Carmel wins −$7/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00 | $6.00Wins | Carmel wins −$1.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 107 | 98Better | Carmel wins -9 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 78Wins | 20 | Chicago wins -58 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Turn ~$1,356/yr tax difference into cash back
Carmel fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Carmel.
High-yield savings
Park ~$5,400/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
Ready to move?
Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
Open full interactive toolComplete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
If cash is tight
Knock down high-interest debt first
A move has upfront costs — a balance transfer or personal loan can lower APR while you settle in.
If you're saving big
Invest the surplus on autopilot
Brokerages and robo-advisors help you dollar-cost average into the market with your new slack.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chicago cheaper than Carmel?
No. Carmel is 9% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (98 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Chicago vs Carmel?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Chicago is $1,900/month and in Carmel is $1,450/month. Chicago is more expensive by 31%.
How much do I need to earn in Carmel to match a $75,000 salary in Chicago?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $68,692/year in Carmel to match a $75,000 salary in Chicago. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Chicago or Carmel?
Carmel has the lower state income tax rate at 3.2% vs 4.9%. The difference is 1.7 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Chicago to Carmel?
It depends on your priorities. Carmel offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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Salary equivalent: Chicago ↔ Carmel
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