City comparison

Chicago vs London

Chicago scores higher on salary; Chicago has a lower cost of living. Compare Chicago and London on earnings, rent pressure, career opportunity, and 3-year financial impact.

Overall verdict

Chicago scores higher overall

London would cost you meaningfully more to live in

How they compare

If you want to save more

ChicagoOverall fitLondon
62 / 48+14 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsLondon
58 / 43+15 Chicago
ChicagoCareerLondon
73 / 81+8 London
ChicagoLow pressureLondon
63 / 31+32 Chicago

If you want career growth

ChicagoOverall fitLondon
68 / 63+5 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsLondon
58 / 43+15 Chicago
ChicagoCareerLondon
73 / 81+8 London
ChicagoLow pressureLondon
63 / 31+32 Chicago

If you want better balance

ChicagoOverall fitLondon
66 / 58+8 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsLondon
58 / 43+15 Chicago
ChicagoCareerLondon
73 / 81+8 London
ChicagoLow pressureLondon
63 / 31+32 Chicago

Financial impact: moving from Chicago to London

Based on a representative $80,000 USD salary. Not tax-adjusted.

-$1,635
Monthly
-$19,620
1 year
-$58,860
3 years

Moving from Chicago to London: trade-offs

You lose

Weaker savings potential — London is 15 points lower on savings capacity
-$1,635/mo estimated net reduction — $19,620 over the first year
Higher cost pressure — rent will consume a larger share of your income

Chicago

US
Salary index
70
Cost index
60
Rent pressure
37
Opportunity
74

London

GB
Salary index
68
Cost index
80
Rent pressure
69
Opportunity
88

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