$120K in Boston = $79,259 in Chicago
Your $120K salary in Boston (COL 162) has the same purchasing power as $79,259 in Chicago (COL 107). Chicago is cheaper — your money goes 34% further there.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | Boston $120K | Chicago $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,655 | $6,665 |
| 1BR rent | $3,000 | $1,900 |
| Groceries | $418 | $388 |
| Transport | $90 | $105 |
| Utilities | $185 | $165 |
| Internet | $70 | $65 |
| Left after essentials | $2,892/month | $4,042/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in Boston equivalent to in Chicago?
$120K in Boston (COL index 162) has the same purchasing power as $79,259 in Chicago (COL index 107). That's 34% less than your current salary.
If I move from Boston to Chicago keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Chicago, you'd have $1,150 more per month after core expenses — because Chicago is cheaper than Boston.
How is the salary equivalent calculated?
The equivalent salary is calculated by multiplying your current salary by the ratio of the two cities' overall cost of living indices: $120K × (107 ÷ 162) = $79,259. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — Boston to Chicago
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only