The average salary in Chicago in 2025 is $1,290 per week. After tax, the estimated take-home pay is around $4,192 per month. This guide also compares cost of living, rent, and affordability in Chicago.
The median weekly salary in Chicago is $1,290, which is well above the US baseline used on this site. Estimated monthly take-home pay is about $4,192. A typical one-bedroom city-centre rent of $2,964 puts strong pressure on take-home pay.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median weekly salary | $1,290 |
| Median hourly pay | $32.2 |
| Estimated monthly take-home | $4,192 |
| Difference vs US average | +31.6% |
| 1-bed rent in city centre | $2,964 |
| Rent burden share | 70.7% |
Users comparing pay and affordability usually also want local expenses. See the cost of living in Chicago.
The estimated take-home pay after tax in Chicago is around $4,192 per month based on median salary data.
Living costs depend on rent and everyday spending. See the cost of living in Chicago for a fuller picture of affordability.
A comfortable salary depends on rent and lifestyle, but many households aim to keep housing costs below 30–40% of income. On this page, the estimated city-centre rent burden is 70.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Sources: BLS for salary data, Numbeo for rent and cost context. Salary year: 2025. Cost update: 2026-04-01.