Ogden wins overall by ~13% (COL index)
Cost of living: Ogden vs Chicago (2026)
A $64,500 salary in Ogden buys roughly what $74,210 does in Chicago (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
+$9,426/yr
Favoring Ogden for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $785/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~20 months and still keep ~$94/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 | Ogden Utah | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $65K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,000Wins | $1,500 | Ogden wins +$500/mo | $6,000/yr saves in Ogden |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,250Wins | $1,900 | Ogden wins +$650/mo | $7,800/yr saves in Ogden |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,650Wins | $2,600 | Ogden wins +$950/mo | $11,400/yr saves in Ogden |
| Median home price | $380K | $360KBetter | Chicago wins −$20K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 96Better | 102 | Ogden wins +6 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $12Wins | $15 | Ogden wins +$3/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $52Wins | $60 | Ogden wins +$8/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $55Wins | $105 | Ogden wins +$50/mo | $600/yr saves in Ogden |
| Gas price/gal | $3.30Better | $3.40 | Ogden wins +$0.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $135Wins | $165 | Ogden wins +$30/mo | $360/yr saves in Ogden |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $145Wins | $165 | Ogden wins +$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Ogden |
| Internet/mo | $62Better | $65 | Ogden wins +$3/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $62K | $67KBetter | Chicago wins +$5K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.7%Better | 4.9% | Ogden wins +0.2 pp | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.2%Wins | 10.3% | Ogden wins +3.1 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Wins | $16.00 | Ogden wins +$2.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $35Wins | $45 | Ogden wins +$10/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $5.50Wins | $7.00 | Ogden wins +$1.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 93Wins | 107 | Ogden wins +14 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 28 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +50 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
Ogden 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 Ogden.
High-yield savings
Park ~$7,800/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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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 Ogden cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Ogden is 13% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (93 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Ogden vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Ogden is $1,250/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Ogden is cheaper by 34%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Ogden?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $86,290/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Ogden. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Ogden or Chicago?
Ogden has the lower state income tax rate at 4.7% vs 4.9%. The difference is 0.2 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Ogden to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Ogden 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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