Chicago-Joliet-Naperville vs Seattle-Bellevue
Cost of Living Comparison
Chicago-Joliet-Naperville
To match your lifestyle in Seattle-Bellevue, you'd need:
$94,397
The Verdict
Cost of Living Index
Purchasing Power
Seattle-Bellevue
To match your lifestyle in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, you'd need:
$52,224
The Bottom Line
On a $70,000 salary, you would have $5,175 more per year in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville compared to Seattle-Bellevue. You'd pay $3,465 less in taxes in Seattle-Bellevue, while housing costs 40% more. The cost of living in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville is 11% above avg, while Seattle-Bellevue is 52% above avg, making Chicago-Joliet-Naperville the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville feels like earning $94,397 in Seattle-Bellevue once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, Seattle-Bellevue has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in Seattle-Bellevue ($21,482 vs $16,908 avg in-state tuition).
K-12 Schools
Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago-Joliet-Naperville or Seattle-Bellevue more expensive?
Seattle-Bellevue is more expensive with a cost of living index of 151.6 vs 111.0 (national average = 100).
What salary in Seattle-Bellevue equals $70,000 in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville?
You would need to earn approximately $94,397 in Seattle-Bellevue to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.
How much is rent in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville vs Seattle-Bellevue?
Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $21,372 in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville and $30,012 in Seattle-Bellevue—housing is 40% more in Seattle-Bellevue.