Median rent is 34% lower in Chicago ($1,440/mo vs $2,175/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $334,100 versus $831,200. Households earn more in Anaheim ($95,227 vs $77,902 a year). Taken together, Chicago is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 114.7 — about 11% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Anaheim, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Chicago is 11% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 102.5 in Chicago vs 114.7 in Anaheim (US national average = 100)
City A
Anaheim, CA
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Anaheim, CA?
Equivalent salary in Chicago, IL
$66,985
You could earn $8,015 less (11% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Anaheim
California
Chicago
Illinois
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Chicago — median rent of $1,440/mo versus $2,175/mo in Anaheim, a 34% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Anaheim: the median home is $831,200 versus $334,100 in Chicago — 60% more expensive.
Metric
Anaheim
Chicago
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Anaheim
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Chicago
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Chicago has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 35.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 102.5 vs 114.7).
Pick Anaheim if you prioritize higher median household income ($95,227/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cheaper rent ($1,440/mo median).
Chicago is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 102.5 versus 114.7 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 11% lower in Chicago.
Median rent is $2,175/mo in Anaheim, CA and $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 34%.
Median household income is $95,227 in Anaheim, CA and $77,902 in Chicago, IL. Anaheim, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Chicago, IL has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 35.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Anaheim, CA is equivalent to roughly $89,313 in Chicago, IL (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
