Can I Afford to Live in Chicago vs Evansville on $120K?

Here's how a $120K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Chicago, IL
$6,665/mo take-home
Rent: $1,900/mo (29% of take-home)
Manageable
Evansville, IN
$6,835/mo take-home
Rent: $990/mo (14% of take-home)
Very comfortable
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Monthly budget breakdown

Chicago
IL
Evansville
IN
Monthly take-home (est.)
$6,665
$6,835Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,900
$990Best ✓
Groceries (est.)
$388
$353Best ✓
Transport (est.)
$105
$40Best ✓
Utilities
$165
$152Best ✓
Internet
$65
$58Best ✓
Left after essentials
$4,042/month
$5,242/month

Frequently asked questions

Is $120K a good salary in Chicago?

At $120K/year in Chicago, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,665. With 1BR rent around $1,900/month, rent takes up 29% of your take-home. That's considered manageable.

Is $120K a good salary in Evansville?

At $120K/year in Evansville, your estimated monthly take-home is $6,835. With 1BR rent around $990/month, rent takes up 14% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Which city is more affordable on a $120K salary?

Evansville leaves you with more money after core expenses — $5,242/month vs $4,042/month in Chicago.

Can I afford to live alone in Chicago on $120K?

Yes. At $120K in Chicago, rent takes 29% of your take-home, leaving $4,042/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Chicago vs Evansville

$40K$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$150K

See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only