City comparison

Chicago vs Rome

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

Overall verdict

Chicago scores higher overall

Rome is a step down on both savings and career opportunity

How they compare

If you want to save more

ChicagoOverall fitRome
62 / 40+22 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsRome
58 / 36+22 Chicago
ChicagoCareerRome
73 / 45+28 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureRome
63 / 47+16 Chicago

If you want career growth

ChicagoOverall fitRome
68 / 44+24 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsRome
58 / 36+22 Chicago
ChicagoCareerRome
73 / 45+28 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureRome
63 / 47+16 Chicago

If you want better balance

ChicagoOverall fitRome
66 / 56+10 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsRome
58 / 36+22 Chicago
ChicagoCareerRome
73 / 45+28 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureRome
63 / 47+16 Chicago

Financial impact: moving from Chicago to Rome

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

-$2,516
Monthly
-$30,192
1 year
-$90,576
3 years

Moving from Chicago to Rome: trade-offs

You gain

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

You lose

Weaker savings potential — Rome is 22 points lower on savings capacity
-$2,516/mo estimated net reduction — $30,192 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

Rome

IT
Salary index
36
Cost index
50
Rent pressure
53
Opportunity
50

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