2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Chicago, IL vs Mercer Island, WA

Change Cities
Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Mercer Island or is it cheaper to live in Chicago?
- Mercer Island is 49.6% more expensive than Chicago.

Which city has more affordable housing, Mercer Island or Chicago?
- Mercer Island housing costs are 566.6% more expensive than Chicago housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Chicago or is Health Care more affordable in Mercer Island.
- Health related expenses are 0.2% more in Mercer Island.
 Chicago, ILMercer Island, WAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock158.1100
 Food & Groceries97.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.2100
 Housing99.8  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$2,145,300$338,100
 Utilities93  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock130.7100
 Miscellaneous139.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
DID YOU KNOW?

In order to keep your same standard of living your salary can vary greatly - whether you buy or rent, require child care, or want to include taxes. This is why we are now offering a Premium Salary & Cost of Living Calculator.

Our Premium Calculator Includes:
- Compare Cities cost of living across 9 different categories
- Personal salary calculations can optionally include Home ownership or rental, Child care, and Taxes (with details on state and local sales, income, property and automobile taxes)
- Includes the cost of Child Care for toddlers or infants, at a day care center or home care
- Grocery prices, detailed for 29 staple items in six categories
- Difference in cost of Utilities, including electric, gas and fuel oil
- Health Care Premiums and hospital expenses for major surgeries
- Taxes, Fees and Expenses you should know about, such as local car insurance rates, automobile taxes and registration, commuting costs.
- and 100s of other items you should consider before you relocate

Upgrade to Premium | See Example

Reviews for Chicago    270 Reviews

I've lived in Chicago city and later moved to suburbs when family size increased. Absolutely love this city. This is the cleanest and most beautiful among the major  More

   |    Reply

Chicago is probably the best value in a major city that you can find and my personal favorite city. It will become increasingly important as climate change makes the  More

   |    Reply

I've live on north side and south side, UIC medical center. Don't move here go to the north side. No good amenities, if you get bored with one there is no other choices.  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Chicago

Reviews for Mercer Island    4 Reviews

Mercer Island is a wonderful family community. It feels much more "small town" than a city even though it has a population of 20,000+. People say hello and watch out  More

   |    Reply

Mercer Island is a suburb of Seattle, located on an island in Lake Washington. The best thing about Mercer Island is its strategically central location relative to the  More

   |    Reply

Mercer Island is a suburb of Seattle, located on an island in Lake Washington. The best thing about Mercer Island is its strategically central location relative to the  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Mercer Island


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.