Salary guide · US
Graphic Designer salary in Chicago: can you afford rent?
A Graphic Designer in Chicago typically earns $34,000–$74,000/year, with a median around $48,000/year. Median 1-bedroom rent is $1,900/month.
Affordability verdict
At a typical Graphic Designer salary of $48,000/year, spending on median Chicago rent ($1,900/mo) would take up 48% of gross income. That exceeds the 30% guideline significantly — housing would be a risky burden.
Graphic Designer salary range in Chicago
$34,000
Entry level
lower quartile
$48,000
Typical
median estimate
$74,000
Experienced
upper quartile
Graphic designers create visual content for brands, media, and digital products. Figures are gross annual salary estimates for Chicago.
How much rent can a Graphic Designer afford?
Rent landscape in Chicago
$1,000
Budget
cheapest 10%
$1,900
Median
most common
$3,200
Premium
top 10%
1-bedroom equivalent. US Census ACS 2022 + Zillow Observed Rent Index · 2022–2023
Other professions in Chicago
Graphic Designer salary in other cities