CostGuide

Legal & Financial, Illinois

CPA cost in Chicago, IL

A typical CPA figure in Chicago is about $273 per hour, about 9% above the national figure of $250.

Typical cost

Typical in Chicago

$273

per hour

Fair price range: $164 to $491

On the low end
$164
On the high end
$491

Estimated from national price data, adjusted for the cost of living in Chicago. Insurance, coverage, and the details of your situation can change the real number a lot. Not a quote.

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An estimate for planning, not a quote. A local pro prices your actual job.

How prices have moved

Up 3.9%past year

Up 39.0%over five years

How prices for tax return preparation and accounting fees have moved nationally, from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index (Tax return preparation and other accounting fees, CUUR0000SS68023), through August 2026. It tracks price change, not the dollar prices on this page.

What moves the price

  1. Firm size
  2. Specialty
  3. Business returns
  4. Advisory
  5. Location

Ways to pay less

  1. Use a local small firm
  2. Separate bookkeeping
  3. Ask for a monthly advisory retainer only if needed
  4. Prepare a P&L first
  5. Clarify what the rate includes

CPA in similar cities

PlaceTypicalRange
Chicago, IL$273
$164 to $491
National typical$250
$150 to $450
Naperville, IL$265
$159 to $477
Aurora, IL$250
$150 to $450
Joliet, IL$243
$146 to $437
Anaheim, CA$291
$175 to $524
Concord, CA$315
$189 to $567

Other Legal & Financial costs in Chicago

CPA in every cityEverything in ChicagoAll Legal & Financial services

Questions people ask

CPA in Chicago: what does it cost?

In Chicago, IL, CPA typically costs about $273 per hour, with most prices between $164 and $491.

Why is Chicago higher than the national price?

This estimate moves the national figure halfway with what the workers behind CPA earn in Chicago, from federal wage data, and halfway with the local cost of living. Together they put Chicago about 9% above the national figure.

Is this a quote?

No. It is an estimate built from national price data and local cost of living. A local pro will price your actual job.