Is Old Town Expensive?

Chicago, United States

+15% vs Chicago avg

Living in Old Town, Chicago

Old Town is one of the pricier neighborhoods in Chicago, with a cost of living index of 84.2 — that is +15% compared to the Chicago average. It ranks #6 out of 27 areas by cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around $2,300/month, compared to a range of $1,500 in Portage Park to $2,500 in Gold Coast.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Old Town, housing takes up roughly 52% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 15%, while transportation costs around 8%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately $92,000 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Old Town

Salaries in Old Town reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 84.2:

After tax and deductions of 26.8% in United States, take-home pay for someone earning $92,000 would be roughly $67,344/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

84.2
COLI Index
1.15x
vs City Avg
$2,300
Est. 1BR Rent
#6
of 27 Areas
26.8%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Old Town

Estimated annual deductions on a $63,150 salary in Old Town, Chicago (local employee).

Income Tax
14%
Social Security + Medicare (FICA)
7.6%
State Income Tax (IL)
4.95%
Total Deductions: 26.8%
Est. Take-Home: $46,247/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Old Town would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $63,150
London GBP £54,346
Dubai AED AED 315,989

Other Neighborhoods in Chicago

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Gold Coast 91.5 1.25x +25%
River North 89.3 1.22x +22%
The Loop 87.8 1.20x +20%
West Loop 86.4 1.18x +18%
Lincoln Park 84.2 1.15x +15%

View all 27 neighborhoods in Chicago →

Convert Your Salary

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Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Old Town:

Cherry Creek, Denver Fitler Square, Philadelphia Bryn Mawr (Main Line), Philadelphia Hollywood, Los Angeles Playa del Rey, Los Angeles Adams Morgan, Washington DC

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Old Town expensive in Chicago?

Yes, Old Town is one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Chicago. It costs about +15% more than the city average, ranking #6 out of 27 neighborhoods.

How does Old Town compare to the Chicago average?

The cost of living in Old Town is above the Chicago average. With a multiplier of 1.15x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are +15% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.