$120K in New Haven = $116,727 in Chicago
Your $120K salary in New Haven (COL 110) has the same purchasing power as $116,727 in Chicago (COL 107). Chicago is cheaper — your money goes 3% further there.
Budget breakdown — $120K in both cities
What $120K actually buys you in each city after taxes and core expenses.
| Expense | New Haven $120K | Chicago $120K (same salary) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly take-home | $6,455 | $6,665 |
| 1BR rent | $1,800 | $1,900 |
| Groceries | $410 | $388 |
| Transport | $82 | $105 |
| Utilities | $198 | $165 |
| Internet | $70 | $65 |
| Left after essentials | $3,895/month | $4,042/month |
Frequently asked questions
What is $120K in New Haven equivalent to in Chicago?
$120K in New Haven (COL index 110) has the same purchasing power as $116,727 in Chicago (COL index 107). That's 3% less than your current salary.
If I move from New Haven to Chicago keeping my $120K salary, will I be better off?
Yes. If you keep earning $120K after moving to Chicago, you'd have $147 more per month after core expenses — because Chicago is cheaper than New Haven.
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 ÷ 110) = $116,727. This adjusts for differences in housing, food, transport, and general cost of living.
Other salary amounts — New Haven to Chicago
Equivalency uses overall COL index ratio. Take-home uses simplified federal/state brackets. Zillow · BLS · Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only