salaryChicago is 7% cheaperBased on official 2024 price levels from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
I need in San Jose to live the same way.
🏠 Rent per month
$1,983
$3,046
🛏️ 2-bedroom rent
$1,622
$2,897
💵 Families earn per year
$84,017
$157,922
🔑 Buying a house
$334,100
$1,233,200
📊 Overall prices (U.S. = 100)
103.6
110.4
🏛️ Property tax per year
$4,943
$9,393
⚡ Electric bill per month
$90
$168
👥 People living there
2,711,226
990,138
Commute to work
33.1 min
27.3 min
College degree
44.3%
47.3%
Own their home
46%
55.8%
Below poverty line
16.8%
8.1%
Unemployment
8%
5.1%
Bottom line
- Pick Chicago for lower rent, cheaper 2-bedroom apartments, cheaper homes.
- Pick San Jose for higher incomes, shorter commutes, a more educated workforce and 2 more.
Pay for the same job
| Job | Chicago | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,490 | $216,740 | +116% in San Jose |
| Firefighter | $82,820 | $152,100 | +84% in San Jose |
| Lawyer | $165,660 | $301,320 | +82% in San Jose |
| Market Research Analyst | $80,400 | $141,960 | +77% in San Jose |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,740 | $231,560 | +76% in San Jose |
| Physician Assistant | $127,940 | $223,640 | +75% in San Jose |
| Software Developer | $134,380 | $213,110 | +59% in San Jose |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,490 | $157,140 | +52% in San Jose |
Frequently asked questions
Is Chicago or San Jose cheaper to live in?
Chicago is about 7% cheaper overall. Rent is $1,983 a month there versus $3,046 in San Jose.
What salary do I need in San Jose to match $60,000 in Chicago?
About $63,955 a year gives the same standard of living in San Jose.
Where do people earn more, Chicago or San Jose?
The typical household earns $84,017 in Chicago and $157,922 in San Jose, 47% more in San Jose.