Can I Afford to Live in Chicago vs Seattle on $40K?

Here's how a $40K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Chicago, IL
$2,565/mo take-home
Rent: $1,900/mo (74% of take-home)
Difficult
Seattle, WA
$2,728/mo take-home
Rent: $2,400/mo (88% of take-home)
Difficult
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Monthly budget breakdown

Chicago
IL
Seattle
WA
Monthly take-home (est.)
$2,565
$2,728Best ✓
1BR rent
$1,900Best ✓
$2,400
Groceries (est.)
$388Best ✓
$410
Transport (est.)
$105
$100Best ✓
Utilities
$165
$120Best ✓
Internet
$65Best ✓
$65
Left after essentials
-$58/month
-$367/month
Seattle (Washington) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs Chicago (IL rate: 4.9%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $40K a good salary in Chicago?

At $40K/year in Chicago, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,565. With 1BR rent around $1,900/month, rent takes up 74% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Is $40K a good salary in Seattle?

At $40K/year in Seattle, your estimated monthly take-home is $2,728. With 1BR rent around $2,400/month, rent takes up 88% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Which city is more affordable on a $40K salary?

Chicago leaves you with more money after core expenses — $-58/month vs $-367/month in Seattle.

Can I afford to live alone in Chicago on $40K?

It's tight. Rent in Chicago would take 74% of your $40K take-home pay. You may need to find roommates or look at studios to stay within the 30% rule.

Compare other salary bands — Chicago vs Seattle

$50K$60K$75K$80K$100K$120K$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