City comparison
Chicago vs Los Angeles
Los Angeles scores higher on salary; Chicago has a lower cost of living. Compare Chicago and Los Angeles on earnings, rent pressure, career opportunity, and 3-year financial impact.
Overall verdict
Los Angeles scores higher overall
Los Angeles is a mixed trade-off compared to your current city
How they compare
If you want to save more
ChicagoOverall fitLos Angeles
62 / 57+5 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsLos Angeles
58 / 51+7 Chicago
ChicagoCareerLos Angeles
73 / 79+6 Los
ChicagoLow pressureLos Angeles
63 / 52+11 Chicago
If you want career growth
ChicagoOverall fitLos Angeles
68 / 68
ChicagoSavingsLos Angeles
58 / 51+7 Chicago
ChicagoCareerLos Angeles
73 / 79+6 Los
ChicagoLow pressureLos Angeles
63 / 52+11 Chicago
If you want better balance
ChicagoOverall fitLos Angeles
66 / 66
ChicagoSavingsLos Angeles
58 / 51+7 Chicago
ChicagoCareerLos Angeles
73 / 79+6 Los
ChicagoLow pressureLos Angeles
63 / 52+11 Chicago
Financial impact: moving from Chicago to Los Angeles
Based on a representative $80,000 USD salary. Not tax-adjusted.
-$394
Monthly
-$4,728
1 year
-$14,184
3 years
Moving from Chicago to Los Angeles: trade-offs
You lose
−-$394/mo estimated net reduction — $4,728 over the first year
−Higher cost pressure — rent will consume a larger share of your income
Los Angeles
USSalary index
78
Cost index
76
Rent pressure
48
Opportunity
80
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Also see: Los Angeles vs Chicago →