City comparison
Austin vs Chicago
Austin scores higher on salary; Austin has a lower cost of living. Compare Austin and Chicago on earnings, rent pressure, career opportunity, and 3-year financial impact.
Overall verdict
Austin scores higher overall
Chicago would cost you meaningfully more to live in
How they compare
If you want to save more
AustinOverall fitChicago
72 / 62+10 Austin
AustinSavingsChicago
71 / 58+13 Austin
AustinCareerChicago
78 / 73+5 Austin
AustinLow pressureChicago
67 / 63+4 Austin
If you want career growth
AustinOverall fitChicago
74 / 68+6 Austin
AustinSavingsChicago
71 / 58+13 Austin
AustinCareerChicago
78 / 73+5 Austin
AustinLow pressureChicago
67 / 63+4 Austin
If you want better balance
AustinOverall fitChicago
72 / 66+6 Austin
AustinSavingsChicago
71 / 58+13 Austin
AustinCareerChicago
78 / 73+5 Austin
AustinLow pressureChicago
67 / 63+4 Austin
Financial impact: moving from Austin to Chicago
Based on a representative $80,000 USD salary. Not tax-adjusted.
-$1,125
Monthly
-$13,500
1 year
-$40,500
3 years
Moving from Austin to Chicago: trade-offs
You lose
−Weaker savings potential — Chicago is 13 points lower on savings capacity
−-$1,125/mo estimated net reduction — $13,500 over the first year
Get a personalised verdict for your salary
The comparison above uses a representative salary. Enter yours for an accurate picture.
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Also see: Chicago vs Austin →