What is the average salary in Chicago and how does it compare to other major US cities?

Chicago is a fantastic city, but it has its challenges, especially when it comes to crime and corruption. It's a big city, though, and you can find some really nice neighborhoods. It's also important to consider how long you want to live in a city. A lot of people live in suburbs and make the commute in, which can be pretty reasonable depending on where you live.

I live in Chicago and can confirm that $85k is pretty decent for a tech role, especially given the cost of living. You'll be able to live comfortably, but don't expect to be able to save much unless your rent is incredibly low. I make around $95k and I'm living comfortably, but I don't have any kids or a car.

85k is a solid starting point, but don't expect to be able to buy a house with that salary in any part of the city that's worth living in. If you want to settle down and buy a house, 100k is a better number to aim for, and even that might not cut it depending on how many bedrooms and bathrooms you need.

Do you get any other benefits with that salary? I've found that a lot of companies offer pretty decent benefits packages, and that can sometimes offset a lower salary. You should also consider your commute time. Public transportation is relatively cheap, but it's not great in some areas. Choose a place with a short commute, and you can save money and stay off the roads.

This is an interesting question. To compare, I know a lot of people in my industry who make 80,000 a year, but it's mostly because they've been in the industry for a while and they're more experienced. I'd suggest trying to get a little more to make it worth the move. I'd also suggest looking into some of the smaller areas in the city that might be more affordable, but still be close to the jobs you'll be looking into.

As someone who lives in Chicago, I will tell you that 85k is in the lower-mid range for many tech jobs, depending on the specific role and level of experience. This is a good salary for someone just starting out in a tech role, but if you're expecting to work your way up to higher-level management or executive positions, you should consider those factors.

I would strongly recommend taking a trip to Chicago to see the cost of living for yourself, especially if you're coming from a smaller city or if you'll be bringing a family. I've been here for about 5 years and I'm still learning about new areas and amenities. If it's your first time, make sure to spend some time in different neighborhoods.

Depends on what you're used to, but I think 85k is pretty average. I've been making 60k for 3 years and I'm finally starting to get to a place where I can live comfortably, but I'm still a long way from being able to buy a house. I've considered moving to a cheaper city.

Chicago isn't nearly as expensive as New York or San Francisco, but it is definitely more expensive than smaller cities. I grew up in a smaller city and moved to Chicago a couple years ago. I thought it was going to be a huge change but I've actually found that it's not that bad.

I think you'll find that the cost of living in Chicago depends a lot on where you live. I have a friend who makes around 70,000 a year and is living in a really nice apartment in the city. But I also know people who make 100,000 a year and are struggling to make ends meet because they live in a more expensive area. It's definitely a city with a lot of diversity, but it also has a lot of inequality, so you need to be careful where you decide to live.