City comparison
Chicago vs Melbourne
Chicago scores higher on salary; Chicago has a lower cost of living. Compare Chicago and Melbourne on earnings, rent pressure, career opportunity, and 3-year financial impact.
Overall verdict
Melbourne scores higher overall
Melbourne is a step down on both savings and career opportunity
How they compare
If you want to save more
ChicagoOverall fitMelbourne
62 / 52+10 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsMelbourne
58 / 45+13 Chicago
ChicagoCareerMelbourne
73 / 63+10 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureMelbourne
63 / 64+1 Melbourne
If you want career growth
ChicagoOverall fitMelbourne
68 / 60+8 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsMelbourne
58 / 45+13 Chicago
ChicagoCareerMelbourne
73 / 63+10 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureMelbourne
63 / 64+1 Melbourne
If you want better balance
ChicagoOverall fitMelbourne
66 / 66
ChicagoSavingsMelbourne
58 / 45+13 Chicago
ChicagoCareerMelbourne
73 / 63+10 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureMelbourne
63 / 64+1 Melbourne
Financial impact: moving from Chicago to Melbourne
Based on a representative $80,000 USD salary. Not tax-adjusted.
-$1,432
Monthly
-$17,184
1 year
-$51,552
3 years
Moving from Chicago to Melbourne: trade-offs
You gain
+Better quality of life — Melbourne scores higher on lifestyle and liveability
You lose
−Weaker savings potential — Melbourne is 13 points lower on savings capacity
−-$1,432/mo estimated net reduction — $17,184 over the first year
−Smaller career market — fewer top-tier roles and lower salary ceiling than your current city
Melbourne
AUSalary index
58
Cost index
64
Rent pressure
36
Opportunity
66
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The comparison above uses a representative salary. Enter yours for an accurate picture.
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Also see: Melbourne vs Chicago →