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Baltimore vs Chicago: prices, pay and housing
| Baltimore, MD | Chicago, IL | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 104.5 | 103.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $76,370 | $73,380 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $59,070 | $54,720 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $73,090 | $70,834 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $59,140 | $56,962 |
| Typical home value | $405,877 | $353,998 |
| Median household income | $97,300 | $88,850 |
| Home price / household income | 4.2 | 4.0 |
| Metro population | 2,839,409 | 9,359,555 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Baltimore to Chicago
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Baltimore to Chicago, multiply your salary by 0.991.
| Salary in Baltimore | Same buying power in Chicago |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Baltimore | $49,573 in Chicago |
| $75,000 in Baltimore | $74,360 in Chicago |
| $100,000 in Baltimore | $99,146 in Chicago |
| $150,000 in Baltimore | $148,719 in Chicago |
| $200,000 in Baltimore | $198,293 in Chicago |
Salaries for common jobs in Baltimore and Chicago
| Job | Baltimore | Chicago | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,010 | $43,140 | $41,163 / $41,643 |
| General and Operations Managers | $134,760 | $143,740 | $128,973 / $138,752 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,960 | $38,490 | $37,287 / $37,154 |
| Registered Nurses | $99,100 | $97,930 | $94,844 / $94,532 |
| Cashiers | $34,670 | $35,760 | $33,181 / $34,519 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $33,820 | $34,690 | $32,368 / $33,486 |
| Retail Salespersons | $37,320 | $39,370 | $35,717 / $38,004 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,710 | $40,700 | $38,962 / $39,288 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $45,800 | $49,800 | $43,833 / $48,072 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $38,830 | $41,400 | $37,163 / $39,963 |
| Office Clerks, General | $48,130 | $49,620 | $46,063 / $47,898 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,770 | $65,170 | $58,160 / $62,908 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $72,470 | $83,770 | $69,358 / $80,863 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,030 | $35,650 | $41,182 / $34,413 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $50,990 | $54,630 | $48,800 / $52,734 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Baltimore vs Chicago: questions
Is Baltimore more expensive than Chicago?
Yes. BEA prices are 104.5 in Baltimore, MD and 103.6 in Chicago, IL (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Chicago to match $100,000 in Baltimore?
About $99,146, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Baltimore or Chicago?
Baltimore, MD: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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