Cost of Living Comparison
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The most comprehensive cost of living comparison tool for US cities. Make informed relocation decisions with real data from trusted sources.

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  • San Francisco
  • New York
  • Austin
  • Denver

Top Routes

  • NYC → Austin
  • LA → Phoenix
  • SF → Denver
  • Chicago → Dallas

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Data: Zillow • Census • FBI • NOAA • BLS

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ChicagovsSan Francisco

Moving from Chicago to San Francisco will cost approximately $357,605 more on median home prices (68.1% higher). Monthly rent is $1,490 more expensive in San Francisco. Median income is 13.3% higher in San Francisco, helping offset housing costs.

Housing
68.1% more
Rent
68.1% more
View ChicagoView San Francisco
San Francisco

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price$525,274
Monthly Rent$2,189
Median Income$73,194
Population2,720,556
Destination

San Francisco, CA

Median Home Price
$882,879+68.1%
Monthly Rent
$3,679+68.1%
Median Income
$82,922+13.3%
Population864,816
Housing

Rent History & Trends

Understanding how rental prices have changed over time helps predict future affordability and make informed decisions about your move.

Chicago

2015$1,513
2020$1,592
2025$2,189

San Francisco

2015$3,234
2020$2,856
2025$3,679

Annual Cost of Living

A comprehensive breakdown of annual living expenses helps you budget effectively for your new life in San Francisco.

Chicago

Housing$7,516
Food$5,442
Transport$13,003
Healthcare$12,465
Total$50,964

San Francisco

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$68,844
Costs

Key Insights

68.1%
Housing Cost
more expensive in San Francisco
$1,490
Monthly Rent Difference
additional cost per month
13.3%
Income Level
higher median income

Demographics

Chicago

Population2,720,556
Median Age34.2 yrs
Violent Crime Rate345 per 100k
Property Crime Rate1393 per 100k

San Francisco

Population864,816
Median Age38.3 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

Safety & Crime Statistics

Chicago

345
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
1393
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

San Francisco

481
Violent Crime Rate (per 100k)
2165
Property Crime Rate (per 100k)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in San Francisco or Chicago?

Chicago is 68.1% cheaper for housing than San Francisco. The median home price in Chicago is $525,274 compared to $882,879 in San Francisco.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and San Francisco?

Monthly rent in San Francisco averages $3,679, while Chicago averages $2,189. That's a difference of $1,490 per month, or $17,880 annually.

How do incomes compare between Chicago and San Francisco?

The median household income in San Francisco is $82,922, which is 13.3% higher than Chicago's median of $73,194.

Which city is safer: Chicago or San Francisco?

Chicago has a violent crime rate of 345 per 100k residents, while San Francisco has 481 per 100k. Chicago is statistically safer.

What is Estates?

Estates is a comprehensive cost of living comparison platform covering over 3,900 US cities. We help you compare housing prices, rent, income levels, crime rates, demographics, and climate data to make informed relocation decisions. Our data comes from trusted sources including Zillow, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, and NOAA.