The Salary Index

Salary Comparison

Construction Managers: Chicago vs Evansville

Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.

Chicago, IL

$118,830/yr

Take-home$7,229/mo
Disposable$4,319/mo
Lifestyle8/10 ยท Comfortable
Best Value

Evansville, IN

$94,125/yr

Take-home$5,726/mo
Disposable$3,841/mo
Lifestyle10/10 ยท Comfortable
๐Ÿ†

Our recommendation: Evansville, IN

Evansville offers higher purchasing power (10 vs 8/10), giving a stronger financial outcome despite a lower gross salary.

Full Breakdown

Chicago

Evansville

Diff (Aโˆ’B)

Annual Gross Salary

$118,830

$94,125

+$24,705

A vs B

Monthly Take-Home

After estimated federal + state taxes

$7,229

$5,726

+$1,503

A vs B

Cost of Living Index

Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100

108

70

+38 pts

A vs B

Monthly Living Costs

Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare

$2,910

$1,885

+$1,025

A vs B

Monthly Rent

$1,750

$950

+$800

A vs B

Monthly Disposable

$4,319

$3,841

+$478

A vs B

Purchasing Power Score

Take-home รท living costs. Higher is better

2.48ร—

3.04ร—

-0.56ร—

A vs B

Lifestyle Score

8/10 (Comfortable)

10/10 (Comfortable)

-2

A vs B

Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.