Can I Afford to Live in Evansville vs Chicago on $60K?

Here's how a $60K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Evansville, IN
$3,633/mo take-home
Rent: $990/mo (27% of take-home)
Comfortable
Chicago, IL
$3,548/mo take-home
Rent: $1,900/mo (54% of take-home)
Difficult
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Monthly budget breakdown

Evansville
IN
Chicago
IL
Monthly take-home (est.)
$3,633Best ✓
$3,548
1BR rent
$990Best ✓
$1,900
Groceries (est.)
$353Best ✓
$388
Transport (est.)
$40Best ✓
$105
Utilities
$152Best ✓
$165
Internet
$58Best ✓
$65
Left after essentials
$2,040/month
$925/month

Frequently asked questions

Is $60K a good salary in Evansville?

At $60K/year in Evansville, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,633. With 1BR rent around $990/month, rent takes up 27% of your take-home. That's considered comfortable.

Is $60K a good salary in Chicago?

At $60K/year in Chicago, your estimated monthly take-home is $3,548. With 1BR rent around $1,900/month, rent takes up 54% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Which city is more affordable on a $60K salary?

Evansville leaves you with more money after core expenses — $2,040/month vs $925/month in Chicago.

Can I afford to live alone in Evansville on $60K?

Yes. At $60K in Evansville, rent takes 27% of your take-home, leaving $2,040/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Evansville vs Chicago

$40K$50K$75K$80K$100K$120K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only