CostIndexUSA

Chicago, IL vs Oklahoma City, OK Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IL
Chicago
103.6
overall index
$2,100/mo rent
More AffordableOK
Oklahoma City
90.4
overall index
$1,350/mo rent

Oklahoma City is moderately cheaper than Chicago — 12.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Chicago, you would need $69,800 in Oklahoma City. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing34.0%
Chicago
112
Oklahoma City
73.9
🛒 Groceries12.6%
Chicago
107.3
Oklahoma City
93.8
🚗 Transportation5.0%
Chicago
105.5
Oklahoma City
100.2
🏥 Healthcare5.0%
Chicago
95.5
Oklahoma City
90.7
Utilities11.4%
Chicago
83.6
Oklahoma City
74.1

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Oklahoma City, OK
$69,800
$10,200 less needed in Oklahoma City

Formula: salary × (90.4 ÷ 103.6) = salary × 0.8726. 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×

Oklahoma City, OK

Median Home Price
$239,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,350
Housing Index
73.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.8×

Chicago has 34.0% lower housing costs compared to Oklahoma City.

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

Oklahoma City, OK

Median Household Income
$69,900
Per Capita Income
$39,800
Unemployment Rate
4.5%
Population
681,054
Top Industries
EnergyGovernmentHealthcareAgricultureAerospace

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)

Oklahoma City, OK
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.