Salt Lake City vs Chicago — side-by-side
Cost of living: Salt Lake City vs Chicago (2026)
A $69,500 salary in Salt Lake City buys roughly what $69,500 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
+$2,721/yr
Favoring Salt Lake City for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $227/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~67 months and still keep ~$27/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 | Salt Lake City Utah | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $70K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,400Better | $1,500 | SLC wins +$100/mo | $1,200/yr saves in SLC |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,700Better | $1,900 | SLC wins +$200/mo | $2,400/yr saves in SLC |
| 2BR rent/mo | $2,200Wins | $2,600 | SLC wins +$400/mo | $4,800/yr saves in SLC |
| Median home price | $480K | $360KWins | Chicago wins −$120K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 98Better | 102 | SLC wins +4 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $13Wins | $15 | SLC wins +$2/mo | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $55Better | $60 | SLC wins +$5/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $90Wins | $105 | SLC wins +$15/mo | — |
| Gas price/gal | $3.30Better | $3.40 | SLC wins +$0.10 | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $140Wins | $165 | SLC wins +$25/mo | $300/yr saves in SLC |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $150Better | $165 | SLC wins +$15/mo | — |
| Internet/mo | $60Better | $65 | SLC wins +$5/mo | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $72KBetter | $67K | SLC wins −$5K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 4.7%Better | 4.9% | SLC wins +0.2 pp | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 7.8%Wins | 10.3% | SLC wins +2.5 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $14.00Wins | $16.00 | SLC wins +$2.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Better | $45 | SLC wins +$5/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $7.00Better | $7.00 | — | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 107Better | 107 | — | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 42 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +36 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
Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City.
High-yield savings
Park ~$2,400/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
What is the average rent in Salt Lake City vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Salt Lake City is $1,700/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Salt Lake City is cheaper by 11%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Salt Lake City?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $75,000/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Salt Lake City. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Salt Lake City or Chicago?
Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Both cities have similar overall costs. 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
More move scenarios
Planning a move?
Salary equivalent: Salt Lake City ↔ Chicago
How much would you need to earn in Chicago to match your Salt Lake City purchasing power?