Moving from St. Louis to Chicago?
Here's what you'd need to earn to maintain your lifestyle.
To maintain your St. Louis lifestyle in Chicago, you'd need to earn:
$81,714/year
▲ $6,714 more than you make now
| Category | St. Louis | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $75,000 | $81,714 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,114 | -$9,591 |
| Social Security | -$4,650 | -$5,066 |
| Medicare | -$1,088 | -$1,185 |
| State Tax | -$3,349 | -$4,045 |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,799 | $61,827 |
Why the difference
- Cost of living is +9.0% in Chicago
- Housing is +41.8% in Chicago
- At the same $75,000 salary, you'd pay $363/year in taxes in Chicago
Estimated Moving Costs
Distance: ~262 miles
DIY Truck
$2,000
Container
$3,500
Full-Service
$5,000
Salary Equivalents: St. Louis to Chicago
| Your St. Louis Salary | Chicago Equivalent | Difference | Chicago Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $43,581 | +$3,581 | $34,899 |
| $50,000 | $54,476 | +$4,476 | $43,113 |
| $60,000 | $65,371 | +$5,371 | $51,139 |
| $75,000 | $81,714 | +$6,714 | $61,827 |
| $100,000 | $108,952 | +$8,952 | $79,641 |
| $150,000 | $163,428 | +$13,428 | $114,366 |
Single filer, 2025 tax brackets, standard deduction. Equivalents based on BEA Regional Price Parities.
How St. Louis and Chicago Compare
Housing (42% more expensive in Chicago)
The average 1-bedroom apartment in Chicago rents for $1,975/month compared to $990/month in St. Louis. Median home prices: $374,000 in Chicago vs $235,000 in St. Louis.
Taxes
Missouri has a progressive state income tax from 0.0% to 4.7%. Illinois has a flat 5.0% state income tax. On a $75,000 salary, moving to Chicago would cost you about $363/year in taxes alone.
Overall Cost of Living
Chicago's overall cost of living is 9.0% higher than St. Louis, based on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (where 100 = national average).St. Louis: 95.1, Chicago: 103.6.
Plan Your Move
Get Free Moving Quotes
Compare rates from licensed movers for your St. Louis to Chicago move. Average cost: $2,000–$5,000.
Compare Moving Quotes →Find Apartments in Chicago
Average 1BR rent in Chicago: $1,975/month. Browse available listings.
Search Apartments →High-Yield Savings
Park your moving fund in a 4.5%+ APY savings account while you plan your relocation.
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