City comparison
Chicago vs Tokyo
Chicago scores higher on salary; Chicago has a lower cost of living. Compare Chicago and Tokyo on earnings, rent pressure, career opportunity, and 3-year financial impact.
Overall verdict
Chicago scores higher overall
Tokyo is a step down on both savings and career opportunity
How they compare
If you want to save more
ChicagoOverall fitTokyo
62 / 48+14 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsTokyo
58 / 38+20 Chicago
ChicagoCareerTokyo
73 / 60+13 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureTokyo
63 / 66+3 Tokyo
If you want career growth
ChicagoOverall fitTokyo
68 / 57+11 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsTokyo
58 / 38+20 Chicago
ChicagoCareerTokyo
73 / 60+13 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureTokyo
63 / 66+3 Tokyo
If you want better balance
ChicagoOverall fitTokyo
66 / 65+1 Chicago
ChicagoSavingsTokyo
58 / 38+20 Chicago
ChicagoCareerTokyo
73 / 60+13 Chicago
ChicagoLow pressureTokyo
63 / 66+3 Tokyo
Financial impact: moving from Chicago to Tokyo
Based on a representative $80,000 USD salary. Not tax-adjusted.
-$2,286
Monthly
-$27,432
1 year
-$82,296
3 years
Moving from Chicago to Tokyo: trade-offs
You gain
+Better quality of life — Tokyo scores higher on lifestyle and liveability
You lose
−Weaker savings potential — Tokyo is 20 points lower on savings capacity
−-$2,286/mo estimated net reduction — $27,432 over the first year
−Smaller career market — fewer top-tier roles and lower salary ceiling than your current city
Get a personalised verdict for your salary
The comparison above uses a representative salary. Enter yours for an accurate picture.
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Also see: Tokyo vs Chicago →