Chicago vs San Francisco: Cost of Living & Salary Comparison
How do Chicago and San Francisco stack up for professionals? We compare salaries, rent, taxes, and overall quality of life to help you make an informed decision.
Chicago
San Francisco
Detailed Cost Comparison
| Category | Chicago | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living Index | 78 | 105 | -26% (lower is better) |
| Median Salary | $65,000 | $95,000 | |
| Rent (1BR) | $2,000 | $3,400 | (/month) |
| Rent (2BR) | $2,800 | $4,800 | (/month) |
| Groceries Index | 82 | 98 | -16% (NYC=100) |
| Transport Monthly | $110 | $110 | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 27.5% | 30% | (at median income) |
| Purchasing Power | 92 | 108 | -15% (higher is better) |
Salary Comparison by Role
| Role | Chicago | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|
San Francisco Offers Better Purchasing Power
San Francisco has a purchasing power index of 108 compared to 92 for Chicago. Despite potentially higher costs, making it a stronger choice from a pure economic standpoint. It's also a top tech hub (score: 10/10).
Common Questions
Based on cost of living indices, Chicago (78) is less expensive compared to San Francisco (105), where NYC = 100.
To maintain the same standard of living, you would need approximately $134,615 in San Francisco to match $100,000 in Chicago.
Chicago has a tech hub score of 7/10 while San Francisco scores 10/10. San Francisco generally offers more tech opportunities.
Based on purchasing power, San Francisco offers better value. This accounts for both salary levels and cost of living.
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Last updated: 2026-02-19 | Data sources: Numbeo, OECD, Glassdoor, and local government statistics.