Median rent is 42% lower in Chicago ($1,440/mo vs $2,476/mo). Buying is cheaper in Chicago, where the median home runs $334,100 versus $1,394,500. Households earn more in San Francisco ($140,970 vs $77,902 a year). Taken together, Chicago is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 102.5 against 117.6 — about 13% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in San Francisco, CA.
Cost of living verdict
Chicago is 13% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 102.5 in Chicago vs 117.6 in San Francisco (US national average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
San Francisco, CA
How much would you need to earn in San Francisco, CA to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in San Francisco, CA
$86,025
You'd need $11,025 more (15% higher).
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
San Francisco
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
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Chicago — median rent of $1,440/mo versus $2,476/mo in San Francisco, a 42% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in San Francisco: the median home is $1,394,500 versus $334,100 in Chicago — 76% more expensive.
Metric
Chicago
San Francisco
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
San Francisco
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 31.0) but not yet for San Francisco.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 102.5 vs 117.6).
Pick San Francisco if you prioritize higher median household income ($140,970/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 117.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 13% lower in Chicago.
Median rent is $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL and $2,476/mo in San Francisco, CA. Chicago, IL has the lower rent by about 42%.
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago, IL and $140,970 in San Francisco, CA. San Francisco, CA has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
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 $114,700 in San Francisco, 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
