salaryChicago is 12% cheaperBased on official 2024 price levels from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
I need in San Francisco to live the same way.
🏠 Rent per month
$1,983
$3,201
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$1,622
$3,312
💵 Families earn per year
$84,017
$152,036
🔑 Buying a house
$334,100
$1,394,500
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
103.6
115.6
🏛️ Property tax per year
$4,943
$9,862
⚡ Electric bill per month
$90
$104
👥 People living there
2,711,226
830,235
Commute to work
33.1 min
30.4 min
College degree
44.3%
60.3%
Own their home
46%
38.2%
Below poverty line
16.8%
11.2%
Unemployment
8%
6.1%
Bottom line
- Pick Chicago for lower rent, cheaper 2-bedroom apartments, cheaper homes.
- Pick San Francisco for higher incomes, shorter commutes, a more educated workforce and 2 more.
Pay for the same job
| Job | Chicago | San Francisco | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,490 | $186,610 | +86% in San Francisco |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,740 | $219,080 | +66% in San Francisco |
| Market Research Analyst | $80,400 | $123,250 | +53% in San Francisco |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,260 | $146,760 | +46% in San Francisco |
| Physician Assistant | $127,940 | $184,380 | +44% in San Francisco |
| Software Developer | $134,380 | $186,640 | +39% in San Francisco |
| Firefighter | $82,820 | $113,700 | +37% in San Francisco |
| Operations Manager | $109,390 | $149,990 | +37% in San Francisco |
Frequently asked questions
Is Chicago or San Francisco cheaper to live in?
Chicago is about 12% cheaper overall. Rent is $1,983 a month there versus $3,201 in San Francisco.
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $60,000 in Chicago?
About $66,961 a year gives the same standard of living in San Francisco.
Where do people earn more, Chicago or San Francisco?
The typical household earns $84,017 in Chicago and $152,036 in San Francisco, 45% more in San Francisco.