Median rent is 1% lower in Fresno ($1,421/mo vs $1,440/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $334,100 versus $374,800. Households earn more in Chicago ($77,902 vs $70,991 a year). Taken together, Fresno is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 91.9 against 102.5 — about 10% lower overall prices.
Cost of living verdict
Fresno is 10% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 91.9 in Fresno vs 102.5 in Chicago (US national average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Fresno, CA
How much would you need to earn in Fresno, CA to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in Fresno, CA
$67,219
You could earn $7,781 less (10% 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
Chicago
Illinois
Fresno
California
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
Median rents are similar in both cities: $1,440/mo in Chicago and $1,421/mo in Fresno. Median home values are within 11% of each other: $334,100 in Chicago and $374,800 in Fresno.
Metric
Chicago
Fresno
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.
Chicago
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Fresno
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Chicago has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 53.0 AQI (Moderate) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Fresno if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 91.9 vs 102.5).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($77,902/yr).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Fresno is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 91.9 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 10% lower in Fresno.
Median rent is $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL and $1,421/mo in Fresno, CA. Fresno, CA has the lower rent by about 1%.
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago, IL and $70,991 in Fresno, CA. Chicago, IL 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 53.0 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 Chicago, IL is equivalent to roughly $89,626 in Fresno, CA (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
