Lawyer Salary in Illinois: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Lawyer salary really buy you in Illinois?

Illinois is near the US average cost of living

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary

$157,320

Median annual (2024)

→ -1.3%

Real Purchasing Power

$155,301

COL-adjusted (RPP=101.3)

Illinois Cost of Living Index

Illinois's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 101.3, meaning prices are 1.3% higher the national average. A Lawyer earning $157,320 in Illinois has the equivalent purchasing power of $155,301 in an average-cost US state.

IL: 101.3

Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Key Insight

Illinois's cost of living is close to the national average, so $157,320 keeps most of its value at $155,301 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

Best States for Lawyer (After Cost of Living)

Where does Lawyer salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Delaware

$176,234

RPP 98.0

2. California

$175,813

RPP 112.5

3. New York

$164,693

RPP 107.6

4. Colorado

$164,193

RPP 102.3

5. Massachusetts

$163,665

RPP 109.4

6. Illinois

$155,301

RPP 101.3

7. Virginia

$154,730

RPP 102.1

8. Connecticut

$149,661

RPP 106.4

9. New Jersey

$145,652

RPP 108.8

10. Alabama

$145,398

RPP 87.8

Illinois ranks #6 out of 49 states for Lawyer after cost-of-living adjustment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Lawyer in Illinois after cost of living?

A Lawyer in Illinois earns a median salary of $157,320 per year. After adjusting for Illinois's cost of living (RPP=101.3), the real purchasing power is $155,301 — a -1.3% difference.

Is Illinois expensive to live in?

Illinois's cost of living is 1.3% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Illinois is 101.3 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Lawyer in Illinois: $157,320 x (100 / 101.3) = $155,301. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.