City comparison

Chicago vs Milan

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

Overall verdict

Chicago scores higher overall

Milan is a step down on both savings and career opportunity

How they compare

If you want to save more

ChicagoOverall fitMilan
62 / 44+18 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsMilan
58 / 40+18 Chicago
ChicagoCareerMilan
73 / 56+17 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureMilan
63 / 46+17 Chicago

If you want career growth

ChicagoOverall fitMilan
68 / 51+17 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsMilan
58 / 40+18 Chicago
ChicagoCareerMilan
73 / 56+17 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureMilan
63 / 46+17 Chicago

If you want better balance

ChicagoOverall fitMilan
66 / 57+9 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsMilan
58 / 40+18 Chicago
ChicagoCareerMilan
73 / 56+17 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureMilan
63 / 46+17 Chicago

Financial impact: moving from Chicago to Milan

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

-$2,141
Monthly
-$25,692
1 year
-$77,076
3 years

Moving from Chicago to Milan: trade-offs

You gain

+Better quality of life — Milan scores higher on lifestyle and liveability

You lose

Weaker savings potential — Milan is 18 points lower on savings capacity
-$2,141/mo estimated net reduction — $25,692 over the first year
Smaller career market — fewer top-tier roles and lower salary ceiling than your current city
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

Milan

IT
Salary index
46
Cost index
58
Rent pressure
54
Opportunity
62

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