Can I Afford to Live in Seattle vs Chicago on $100K?

Here's how a $100K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Seattle, WA
$6,321/mo take-home
Rent: $2,400/mo (38% of take-home)
Tight
Chicago, IL
$5,913/mo take-home
Rent: $1,900/mo (32% of take-home)
Manageable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Seattle
WA
Chicago
IL
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,321Best ✓
$5,913
1BR rent
$2,400
$1,900Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$410
$388Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$100Best ✓
$105
Utilities
$120Best ✓
$165
Internet
$65Best ✓
$65
Left after essentials
$3,226/month
$3,290/month
Seattle (Washington) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Chicago (IL rate: 4.9%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $100K a good salary in Seattle?

At $100K/year in Seattle, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,321. With 1BR rent around $2,400/month, rent takes up 38% of your take-home. That's considered tight.

Is $100K a good salary in Chicago?

At $100K/year in Chicago, your estimated monthly take-home is $5,913. With 1BR rent around $1,900/month, rent takes up 32% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Which city is more affordable on a $100K salary?

Chicago leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,290/month vs $3,226/month in Seattle.

Can I afford to live alone in Seattle on $100K?

It's tight. Rent in Seattle would take 38% of your $100K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Seattle vs Chicago

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$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