Kept

City vs city

Chicago vs Denver

$100,000 in Chicago buys a lifestyle closer to $114,000 in Denver, because Denver's cost-of-living index is 126 versus 111.

Chicago

Big-city wages and transit without coastal housing prices. Illinois flat tax plus property taxes matter.

COL index
111
Typical 1-bed
$1,850/mo
Comfortable salary
$94,000
$100k take-home
$74,375
Full Chicago guide

Denver

A magnet for remote workers. Housing is the main cost pressure versus the US average.

COL index
126
Typical 1-bed
$1,850/mo
Comfortable salary
$107,000
$100k take-home
$75,488
Full Denver guide

More comparisons: vs New York Cityvs San Franciscovs San Josevs Oaklandvs Los Angelesvs San Diego