Chicago vs San Francisco

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 · California salaries

Living in Chicago vs San Francisco

Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Chicago has a housing index of 112 while San Francisco sits at 327 (national average = 100). The median home in Chicago costs $310,000 compared to $1,200,000 in San Francisco, a difference of $890,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Chicago versus $3,400 in San Francisco.

Groceries and everyday expenses show a notable difference: Chicago scores 104 while San Francisco scores 112.

Healthcare costs in Chicago (101) are lower than San Francisco (113).

Median household income in Chicago is $62,097 compared to $119,136 in San Francisco. When adjusted for cost of living, income goes further in Chicago.

Relocating: Chicago vs San Francisco

If you are considering a move between Chicago (index: 107) and San Francisco (index: 190), the 44% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Chicago 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 Francisco can afford $2,780/month. With median homes at $310,000 in Chicago versus $1,200,000 in San Francisco, the higher-cost city presents significant affordability challenges.

Renting vs buying: At $1,700/month in Chicago and $3,400/month in San Francisco, renters save significantly in Chicago. 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 significantly further in Chicago. 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 Francisco (190)

The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Chicago at 107 is 7% above the US average, while San Francisco at 190 is 90% above average. There is a meaningful cost gap between these two cities that affects day-to-day budgeting.

The 83-point spread between San Francisco (190) and Chicago (107) is large enough to reshape a household budget entirely, especially for single-income families. The biggest category divergence is housing, where Chicago scores 112 and San Francisco scores 327. That 215-point gap is the primary driver of the overall cost difference between these two metros. Housing, the largest line item for most households, favors Chicago with indices of 112 versus 327. Median home prices of $310,000 in Chicago and $1,200,000 in San Francisco underscore this gap. Neither city is cheaper across the board: Chicago has an edge in housing and groceries, while San Francisco is more affordable for transportation. Your actual savings depend on which categories consume the biggest share of your personal budget.

For renters: With median rents of $1,700/month in Chicago and $3,400/month in San Francisco, the annual rent difference is approximately $20,400. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $102,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.

For homebuyers: The $890,000 difference in median home prices between Chicago and San Francisco translates to roughly $53,400 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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