Chicago vs San Antonio

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.

💰 Salary Equivalence

To maintain the same standard of living:

See exact take-home pay: Illinois salaries · Texas salaries

Living in Chicago vs San Antonio

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Chicago has a housing index of 112 while San Antonio sits at 78 (national average = 100). The median home in Chicago costs $310,000 compared to $250,000 in San Antonio, a difference of $60,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Chicago versus $1,200 in San Antonio.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Chicago scores 104 while San Antonio scores 93.

Healthcare costs in Chicago (101) are higher than San Antonio (95). Both are close to the national average.

Median household income in Chicago is $62,097 compared to $53,420 in San Antonio. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in San Antonio.

Relocating: Chicago vs San Antonio

If you are considering a move between Chicago (index: 107) and San Antonio (index: 90), the 16% cost difference has real implications for your budget. San Antonio is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.

Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Chicago can afford $1,449/month, while the median household in San Antonio can afford $1,246/month. With median homes at $310,000 in Chicago versus $250,000 in San Antonio, both cities offer reasonable homeownership opportunities at median income.

Renting vs buying: At $1,700/month in Chicago and $1,200/month in San Antonio, renters save significantly in San Antonio. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.

Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes further in San Antonio where costs are 10% below the national average. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.

Reading These Numbers: Chicago (107) vs San Antonio (90)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Chicago at 107 is 7% above the US average, while San Antonio at 90 is 10% below average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

Chicago costs meaningfully more than San Antonio, with a 17-point composite gap that translates to real differences in rent, groceries, and daily expenses. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Chicago scores 112 and San Antonio scores 78. That 34-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors San Antonio with indices of 78 versus 112. Median home prices of $310,000 in Chicago and $250,000 in San Antonio underscore this gap.

For renters: With median rents of $1,700/month in Chicago and $1,200/month in San Antonio, the annual rent difference is approximately $6,000. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $30,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $60,000 difference in median home prices between Chicago and San Antonio translates to roughly $3,600 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.

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