City comparison
23 attributes compared, 23 with verified data on both sides. The higher value in each row is bolded for scanning — higher isn’t always better (e.g. lower cost), so weigh each against your goal.
Chicago
16
metrics won
Los Angeles
5
metrics won
Chicago wins on 16 of 21 comparable money metrics. Details below — and remember, “better” depends on your goal.
| Attribute | Chicago | Los Angeles | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index (index) | 94 | 111 | +17 |
| Attribute | Chicago | Los Angeles | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Count (count) | 18 | 20 | +2 |
Analysis
Chicago and Los Angeles are compared across 23 city attributes, 23 with verified data on both sides. The comparison below is built entirely from evidence-backed facts in the knowledge graph.
Decision intelligence
Every value is backed by stored evidence and a confidence score. Information is for general guidance only.
| Attribute | Chicago | Los Angeles | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Groceries (mid) (/month) | $380 | $400 | +20 |
| Inexpensive Restaurant Meal (/meal) | $18 | $20 | +2 |
| Attribute | Chicago | Los Angeles | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor Visit (/visit) | $140 | $150 | +10 |
| Health Insurance (/month) | $400 | $420 | +20 |
| Attribute | Chicago | Los Angeles | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent — 1BR City Centre (/month) | $2,200 | $2,700 | +500 |
| Rent — 1BR Outside Centre (/month) | $1,600 | $2,100 | +500 |
| Rent — 3BR City Centre (/month) | $3,800 | $4,500 | +700 |
| Attribute | Chicago | Los Angeles | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Program Count (count) | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Attribute | Chicago | Los Angeles | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet 60 Mbps (/month) | $55 | $60 | +5 |
| Attribute | Chicago | Los Angeles | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety Index (score) | 44 | 48 | +4 |
| Digital Nomad Score (score) | 64 | 66 | +2 |
| Attribute | Chicago | Los Angeles | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (count) | 2,700,000 | 3,900,000 | +1,200,000 |
| Latitude (degrees) | 41.878 | 34.052 | −7.826 |
| Longitude (degrees) | -87.63 | -118.244 | −30.614 |
| Attribute | Chicago | Los Angeles | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile 10GB (/month) | $50 | $50 | 0 |
| Attribute | Chicago | Los Angeles | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchasing power index (index) | 152 | 129 | −23 |
| Attribute | Chicago | Los Angeles | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savings score (score) | 47 | 36 | −11 |
| Attribute | Chicago | Los Angeles | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Income Tax Rate (%) | 32% | 33% | +1 |
| VAT Rate (%) | 10.25% | 9.5% | −0.75 |
| Attribute | Chicago | Los Angeles | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Transit Pass (/month) | $75 | $100 | +25 |
| Attribute | Chicago | Los Angeles | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utilities (85 sqm) (/month) | $160 | $170 | +10 |
Across the 23 shared metrics, Chicago posts the higher figure on 5 and Los Angeles on 16. Whether higher is better depends on the metric — lower is preferable for costs and taxes, higher for salaries and economic output.
Questions
Chicago and Los Angeles are compared across 23 city attributes, 23 with verified data on both sides. The comparison below is built entirely from evidence-backed facts in the knowledge graph.
Chicago is 2,700,000 count and Los Angeles is 3,900,000 count, a difference of about 31%.
Chicago is -87.63 degrees and Los Angeles is -118.244 degrees, a difference of about 26%.
Chicago is $75 /month and Los Angeles is $100 /month, a difference of about 25%.
Chicago is $1,600 /month and Los Angeles is $2,100 /month, a difference of about 24%.
On monthly transit pass, Chicago is the lower of the two (Chicago: $75 /month, Los Angeles: $100 /month). Overall affordability depends on which costs matter most to you.