City Cost Report
Chicago skyline
Chicago
Los Angeles skyline
Los Angeles
VS

Chicago is 13% cheaper than Los Angeles overall.

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ChicagoLos Angeles
Rent (1BR City Centre)$2,942.94 CAD$3,503.50 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$2,382.38 CAD$2,872.87 CAD
Groceries Index105112
Monthly Transit Pass$105.11 CAD$140.14 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$203.20 CAD$210.21 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.33 CAD$1.75 CAD
Mid-range Meal$33.63 CAD$35.04 CAD
Gym Membership$70.07 CAD$77.08 CAD
Childcare (monthly)$2,242.24 CAD$2,382.38 CAD

Each city is shown in your selected currency (toggle CAD/USD in the header); cheaper values are highlighted after converting to a common currency. Updated June 2026.

Salary Equivalence Calculator

If you earn $in Chicago...

You would need $69,005 in Los Angeles to maintain the same lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chicago cheaper than Los Angeles?

Chicago is 13% cheaper than Los Angeles overall.

How much is rent in Chicago vs Los Angeles?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $2,100 USD per month in Chicago and $2,500 USD in Los Angeles. Outside the centre, it is $1,700 USD in Chicago and $2,050 USD in Los Angeles.

What salary do I need to move from Chicago to Los Angeles?

On average, you need about 115% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in Chicago is roughly equivalent to $69,005 in Los Angeles.

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