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Chicago vs Denver: prices, pay and housing
| Chicago, IL | Denver, CO | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 103.6 | 105.8 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $73,380 | $81,690 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $54,720 | $62,320 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $70,834 | $77,225 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,962 | $63,413 |
| Typical home value | $353,998 | $573,221 |
| Median household income | $88,850 | $102,339 |
| Home price / household income | 4.0 | 5.6 |
| Metro population | 9,359,555 | 2,977,085 |
*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: Chicago to Denver
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Chicago to Denver, multiply your salary by 1.021.
| Salary in Chicago | Same buying power in Denver |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Chicago | $51,056 in Denver |
| $75,000 in Chicago | $76,583 in Denver |
| $100,000 in Chicago | $102,111 in Denver |
| $150,000 in Chicago | $153,167 in Denver |
| $200,000 in Chicago | $204,222 in Denver |
Salaries for common jobs in Chicago and Denver
| Job | Chicago | Denver | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,690 | $38,240 | $33,486 / $36,150 |
| Retail Salespersons | $39,370 | $41,980 | $38,004 / $39,685 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,700 | $44,510 | $39,288 / $42,077 |
| Registered Nurses | $97,930 | $100,920 | $94,532 / $95,404 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $90,910 | $101,660 | $87,755 / $96,103 |
| Software Developers | $141,640 | $149,400 | $136,725 / $141,234 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,490 | $40,800 | $37,154 / $38,570 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $83,770 | $93,970 | $80,863 / $88,834 |
| Cashiers | $35,760 | $39,190 | $34,519 / $37,048 |
| Customer Service Representatives | $49,800 | $52,050 | $48,072 / $49,205 |
| General and Operations Managers | $143,740 | $171,600 | $138,752 / $162,220 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $91,990 | $107,620 | $88,798 / $101,738 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,650 | $51,870 | $34,413 / $49,035 |
| Project Management Specialists | $113,740 | $120,640 | $109,793 / $114,046 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $41,400 | $42,130 | $39,963 / $39,827 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
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Chicago vs Denver: questions
Is Chicago more expensive than Denver?
No. BEA prices are 103.6 in Chicago, IL and 105.8 in Denver, CO (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in Denver to match $100,000 in Chicago?
About $102,111, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Chicago or Denver?
Denver, CO: 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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