Uprootmap

Chicago, ILAnchorage, AK

You'd keep $433 more a month in Anchorage

+$5,196 a year for the same registered nurse, the same household size, and the same number of bedrooms.

Monthly and annual budget comparison between Chicago, IL and Anchorage, AK
Per monthChicagoAnchorageDifference
Gross pay$8,208$8,177−$31
Income and payroll tax$2,130$1,726−$404
Take-home pay$6,079$6,451+$373
Rent$1,828$1,346−$482
Getting around$392$636+$244
Groceries$408$457+$49
Healthcare$459$514+$55
Utilities$255$286+$31
Everything else$357$400+$43
Left over$2,380$2,813+$433

To break even in Anchorage, you'd need to earn

$90,500

Household gross, versus $98,500 today. That's the salary that leaves you exactly as much at the end of the month as Chicago does now.

The tax difference alone

+$4,738

A year, in state and local income tax. Alaska has no wage income tax.

More about Anchorage

Chicago, IL in full

World-class city amenities at Midwest home prices, funded by 2.1% property tax.

Anchorage, AK in full

No state income tax, a median 2-bedroom asking rent of $1,602 and 138 sunny days; commutes average 23 minutes.

The reverse move

Same two cities, but starting from Anchorage on Anchorage wages.

AnchorageChicago

Rent is Zillow's asking rent for each metro; taxes and living costs are modelled. An estimate, not a quote or tax advice. How this is calculated.