Mobile wins overall by ~23% (COL index)
Cost of living: Mobile vs Chicago (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Mobile buys roughly what $78,293 does in Chicago (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$12,097/yr
Favoring Mobile for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $1,008/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~15 months and still keep ~$121/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 | Mobile Alabama | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $900Wins | $1,500 | Mobile wins +$600/mo | $7,200/yr saves in Mobile |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,100Wins | $1,900 | Mobile wins +$800/mo | $9,600/yr saves in Mobile |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,450Wins | $2,600 | Mobile wins +$1,150/mo | $13,800/yr saves in Mobile |
| Median home price | $210KWins | $360K | Mobile wins +$150K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 93Better | 102 | Mobile wins +9 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $11Wins | $15 | Mobile wins +$4/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $46Wins | $60 | Mobile wins +$14/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $38Wins | $105 | Mobile wins +$67/mo | $804/yr saves in Mobile |
| Gas price/gal | $3.00Better | $3.40 | Mobile wins +$0.40 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $148Better | $165 | Mobile wins +$17/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $172 | $165Better | Chicago wins −$7/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $58Better | $65 | Mobile wins +$7/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $46K | $67KWins | Chicago wins +$21K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.0% | 4.9%Better | Chicago wins -0.1 pp | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 9.2%Better | 10.3% | Mobile wins +1.1 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $13.00Wins | $16.00 | Mobile wins +$3.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $32Wins | $45 | Mobile wins +$13/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.00Wins | $7.00 | Mobile wins +$2.00 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 82Wins | 107 | Mobile wins +25 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 26 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +52 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Mobile 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 Mobile.
High-yield savings
Park ~$9,600/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
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Open the full interactive tool to add up to 5 cities, drop in your salary, and see rent burden.
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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.
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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 Mobile cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Mobile is 23% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (82 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Mobile vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Mobile is $1,100/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Mobile is cheaper by 42%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Mobile?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $97,866/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Mobile. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Mobile or Chicago?
Chicago has the lower state income tax rate at 4.9% vs 5%. The difference is 0.1 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Mobile to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Mobile 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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