Uprootmap

Chicago, ILAnn Arbor, MI

Moving to Ann Arbor costs you $366 a month

−$4,392 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 Ann Arbor, MI
Per monthChicagoAnn ArborDifference
Gross pay$8,208$7,137−$1,071
Income and payroll tax$2,130$1,772−$358
Take-home pay$6,079$5,365−$713
Rent$1,828$1,588−$240
Getting around$392$394+$2
Groceries$408$378−$30
Healthcare$459$425−$34
Utilities$255$236−$19
Everything else$357$330−$27
Left over$2,380$2,014−$366

To break even in Ann Arbor, you'd need to earn

$92,500

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

+$480

A year, in state and local income tax. Effective rates: 25.9% in Chicago, 24.8% in Ann Arbor.

More about Ann Arbor

Chicago, IL in full

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

Ann Arbor, MI in full

A flat 4.25% state income tax, a median 2-bedroom asking rent of $1,891 and 173 sunny days; commutes average 23 minutes.

The reverse move

Same two cities, but starting from Ann Arbor on Ann Arbor wages.

Ann ArborChicago

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.