Uprootmap

Rome, GAChicago, IL

You'd keep $448 more a month in Chicago

+$5,376 a year for the same registered nurse, the same household size, and the same number of bedrooms.

Monthly and annual budget comparison between Rome, GA and Chicago, IL
Per monthRomeChicagoDifference
Gross pay$6,417$8,177+$1,760
Income and payroll tax$1,485$2,119+$634
Take-home pay$4,932$6,058+$1,126
Rent$1,028$1,828+$800
Getting around$595$392−$203
Groceries$386$408+$22
Healthcare$434$459+$25
Utilities$241$255+$14
Everything else$337$357+$20
Left over$1,911$2,359+$448

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

$90,000

Household gross, versus $77,000 today. That's the salary that leaves you exactly as much at the end of the month as Rome does now.

The tax difference alone

−$1,346

A year, in state and local income tax. Effective rates: 23.1% in Rome, 25.9% in Chicago.

More about Chicago

Rome, GA in full

A flat 5.19% state income tax, a median 2-bedroom asking rent of $1,224 and 213 sunny days; commutes average 24 minutes.

Chicago, IL in full

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

The reverse move

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

ChicagoRome

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.