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San Francisco vs Chicago

Chicago runs about 34% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,207 USD a month.

Aerial view of Chase Center at 2020
San Francisco
$6,441/month · United States
Christopher Michel · CC BY 2.0
View of Chicago from Willis Tower
Chicago
$4,234/month · United States
Andrew Horne · CC BY 2.0
San Francisco monthly
$6,441
Index 101 (NYC = 100)
Chicago monthly
$4,234
Index 66 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-34%
Chicago relative to San Francisco
Rent gap
$1,922
San Francisco costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

San FranciscoChicago
  • Housing
    Housing: San Francisco $4,150, Chicago $2,228. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Food
    Food: San Francisco $914, Chicago $788. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Transport
    Transport: San Francisco $175, Chicago $154. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: San Francisco $256, Chicago $221. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: San Francisco $560, Chicago $525. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: San Francisco $217, Chicago $170. Cheaper in Chicago.
  • Other
    Other: San Francisco $170, Chicago $149. 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

MetricSan FranciscoChicago
Cost
Total monthly cost6,441 USD4,234 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)10166✓
Housing4,150 USD2,228 USD✓
Utilities256 USD221 USD✓
Food914 USD788 USD✓
Transport175 USD154 USD✓
Healthcare560 USD525 USD✓
Lifestyle217 USD170 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,978 USD6,228 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate28.3%25.3%✓
Left over each month-463 USD1,993 USD✓
Average local net salary6,600 USD✓4,400 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre4,150 USD2,228 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre7,798 USD4,244 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre13,500 USD4,500 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety45/10052/100✓
Healthcare88/100✓84/100
Air quality72/100✓62/100
Public transport72/10078/100✓
Walkability86/100✓80/100
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife82/10088/100✓
Family friendliness60/10066/100✓
Median broadband260 Mbps✓210 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature14°C10°C✓
Summer high22°C✓29°C
Winter low8°C✓-8°C
Sunshine hours per year3,060 h✓2,500 h
Annual rainfall600 mm✓990 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access20 min15 min✓
CurrencyUSDUSD
Time zoneAmerica/Los_AngelesAmerica/Chicago

Chicago runs about 34% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,207 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in San FranciscoCost of living in ChicagoConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
San Francisco vs New YorkSan Francisco vs MiamiSan Francisco vs Los Angeles
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is San Francisco or Chicago cheaper?

Chicago runs about 34% cheaper than San Francisco for this household, a difference of 2,207 USD a month.

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

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

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

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