CostIndexUSA

Chicago, IL vs Pueblo, CO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Chicago
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableCO
Pueblo
91.8
overall index
$1,250/mo rent

Pueblo is moderately cheaper than Chicago — 11.4% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chicago, you would need $70,900 in Pueblo. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing36.3%
Chicago
112
Pueblo
71.3
🛒 Groceries10.4%
Chicago
107.3
Pueblo
96.1
🚗 Transportation0.7%
Chicago
105.5
Pueblo
104.8
🏥 Healthcare0.7%
Chicago
95.5
Pueblo
94.8
Utilities2.0%
Chicago
83.6
Pueblo
81.9

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Chicago to see what you'd need to earn in Pueblo to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Pueblo, CO
$70,900
$9,100 less needed in Pueblo

Formula: salary × (91.8 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.8861. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$334,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,100
Housing Index
112
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.3×

Pueblo, CO

Median Home Price
$281,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,250
Housing Index
71.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.7×

Chicago has 36.3% lower housing costs compared to Pueblo.

Income & Job Market

Chicago, IL

Median Household Income
$87,100
Per Capita Income
$49,600
Unemployment Rate
4.9%
Population
2,693,976
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyRetail

Pueblo, CO

Median Household Income
$65,200
Per Capita Income
$37,200
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
111,876
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingGovernmentRetailAgriculture

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Chicago, IL
3.5×income-to-rent ratio

71% of income left after rent (median)

Pueblo, CO
4.3×income-to-rent ratio

77% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.