Chicago, IL

Salary intelligence, cost of living, and affordability data

All 681 jobs →

Avg Salary

$69,888

across all roles

Cost Index

108

Above Average

Avg Rent

$1,750/mo

1-bed apartment

Affordability

5/10

Low Affordability

How affordable is Chicago?

5/10

Low Affordability

Purchasing power score: 1.46× (take-home ÷ living costs)

With a cost of living index of 108 (US avg = 100) and average disposable income of $1,342/mo, Chicago is a mid-tier cost market with reasonable affordability across most income levels.

Cost of Living Benchmarks

Cost Index

108

US avg = 100

Est. Monthly Rent

$1,750

1-bed, city avg

Avg Disposable

$1,342

after taxes + living costs

Median Salary

$63,190

across all tracked roles

Purchasing Power

1.46×

take-home ÷ costs

Jobs Tracked

681

job titles with data

Highest-Paying Jobs in Chicago

By gross annual salary

1.General Internal Medicine Physicians
$234,440
2.Dentists
$221,790
3.Physicians
$215,680
4.Pediatricians
$198,440
5.Air Traffic Controllers
$184,930
6.Family Medicine Physicians
$182,830
7.Computer And Information Systems Managers
$168,230
8.Lawyers
$166,090
9.Financial Managers
$164,470
10.Natural Sciences Managers
$161,340

Best Jobs for Disposable Income

After taxes and living costs

1.General Internal Medicine Physicians
$11,352/mo
2.Dentists
$10,582/mo
3.Physicians
$10,211/mo
4.Pediatricians
$9,162/mo
5.Air Traffic Controllers
$8,340/mo
6.Family Medicine Physicians
$8,212/mo
7.Computer And Information Systems Managers
$7,324/mo
8.Lawyers
$7,194/mo
9.Financial Managers
$7,095/mo
10.Natural Sciences Managers
$6,905/mo

Jobs With Tightest Budgets in Chicago

These roles leave the least disposable income after living costs — worth knowing before accepting an offer.

Firstline Supervisors Of Entertainment And Recreation Workers

$2/mo left

$47,870/yr gross

Psychiatric Technicians

$3/mo left

$47,890/yr gross

Print Binding And Finishing Workers

$6/mo left

$47,940/yr gross

Printing Press Operators

$6/mo left

$47,930/yr gross

Phlebotomists

$10/mo left

$48,000/yr gross

Explore Chicago Further

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All data derived from BLS OEWS metro data and regional cost-of-living indices. Figures are estimates; verify with local sources before making decisions.