Cost of Living · 2026
Metro population: 9.6M
Monthly take-home
$4,786
on $75K, single filer
2-BR rent (HUD FMR)
$1,781
per month
Median home value
$325,000
+4.1% year-over-year
Left after rent
$3,005
per month on $75K
Food costs (index, 100 = national avg)
98
Groceries
105
Dining out
On a $75,000 salary in Chicago, you take home about $4,786 per month after federal and state taxes. A typical two-bedroom apartment runs $1,781 per month based on HUD fair market rents, leaving you with roughly $3,005 for everything else. If you are looking to buy, the median home in the Chicago metro is valued at $325,000. These numbers use 2026 tax brackets and official government data sources. Use them as a starting point, not financial advice.
Compare Chicago with other citiesData from IRS, HUD, BLS, and Zillow. Last updated March 2026.