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Chicago vs San Francisco

Chicago runs about 52% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,207 USD a month.

View of Chicago from Willis Tower
Chicago
$4,234/month · United States
Andrew Horne · CC BY 2.0
Aerial view of Chase Center at 2020
San Francisco
$6,441/month · United States
Christopher Michel · CC BY 2.0
Chicago monthly
$4,234
Index 66 (NYC = 100)
San Francisco monthly
$6,441
Index 101 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+52%
San Francisco relative to Chicago
Rent gap
$1,922
San Francisco costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

ChicagoSan Francisco
  • Housing
    Housing: Chicago $2,228, San Francisco $4,150. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Food
    Food: Chicago $788, San Francisco $914. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Transport
    Transport: Chicago $154, San Francisco $175. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Chicago $221, San Francisco $256. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Chicago $525, San Francisco $560. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Chicago $170, San Francisco $217. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Other
    Other: Chicago $149, San Francisco $170. Cheaper in Chicago.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricChicagoSan Francisco
Cost
Total monthly cost4,234 USD✓6,441 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)66✓101
Housing2,228 USD✓4,150 USD
Utilities221 USD✓256 USD
Food788 USD✓914 USD
Transport154 USD✓175 USD
Healthcare525 USD✓560 USD
Lifestyle170 USD✓217 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,228 USD✓5,978 USD
Effective tax + social rate25.3%✓28.3%
Left over each month1,993 USD✓-463 USD
Average local net salary4,400 USD6,600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre2,228 USD✓4,150 USD
3-bed rent, city centre4,244 USD✓7,798 USD
Buy price per m², centre4,500 USD✓13,500 USD
Quality of life
Safety52/100✓45/100
Healthcare84/10088/100✓
Air quality62/10072/100✓
Public transport78/100✓72/100
Walkability80/10086/100✓
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife88/100✓82/100
Family friendliness66/100✓60/100
Median broadband210 Mbps260 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature10°C✓14°C
Summer high29°C22°C✓
Winter low-8°C8°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h3,060 h✓
Annual rainfall990 mm600 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access15 min✓20 min
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/ChicagoAmerica/Los_Angeles

Chicago runs about 52% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,207 USD a month.

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Cost of living in ChicagoCost of living in San FranciscoConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Chicago vs SeattleChicago vs Los AngelesChicago vs Vancouver
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Chicago or San Francisco cheaper?

Chicago runs about 52% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,207 USD a month.

What salary do you need in San Francisco compared with Chicago?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $6,228 a month in Chicago and $5,978 in San Francisco, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Chicago or San Francisco?

Chicago scores 52/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; San Francisco scores 45 and 88. Chicago averages 10°C against 14°C in San Francisco.