City comparison

Chicago vs Sydney

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

Overall verdict

Sydney scores higher overall

Sydney would cost you meaningfully more to live in

How they compare

If you want to save more

ChicagoOverall fitSydney
62 / 51+11 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsSydney
58 / 43+15 Chicago
ChicagoCareerSydney
73 / 67+6 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureSydney
63 / 59+4 Chicago

If you want career growth

ChicagoOverall fitSydney
68 / 61+7 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsSydney
58 / 43+15 Chicago
ChicagoCareerSydney
73 / 67+6 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureSydney
63 / 59+4 Chicago

If you want better balance

ChicagoOverall fitSydney
66 / 66
ChicagoSavingsSydney
58 / 43+15 Chicago
ChicagoCareerSydney
73 / 67+6 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureSydney
63 / 59+4 Chicago

Financial impact: moving from Chicago to Sydney

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

-$1,629
Monthly
-$19,548
1 year
-$58,644
3 years

Moving from Chicago to Sydney: trade-offs

You gain

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

You lose

Weaker savings potential — Sydney is 15 points lower on savings capacity
-$1,629/mo estimated net reduction — $19,548 over the first year

Chicago

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

Sydney

AU
Salary index
62
Cost index
72
Rent pressure
41
Opportunity
70

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The comparison above uses a representative salary. Enter yours for an accurate picture.

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