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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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Data sourced from US Census, BLS, DOT, EPA, Zillow (aggregated)

Last updated: Feb 2026

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Santa ClaravsChicago

Last updated: Feb 2026
Data Methodology

Moving from Santa Clara to Chicago will save you approximately $328,211 on median home prices (38.5% less). Monthly rent is $1,368 cheaper in Chicago. Note that median income is 11.7% lower in Chicago.

Housing
38.5% cheaper
Rent
38.5% cheaper
View Santa ClaraView Chicago
Chicago

Side-by-Side Comparison

Origin

Santa Clara, CA

Median Home Price$853,485
Monthly Rent$3,556
Median Income$82,922
Population126,216
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Destination

Chicago, IL

Median Home Price
$525,274-38.5%
Monthly Rent
$2,189-38.5%
Median Income
$73,194-11.7%
Population2,720,556
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Cities Location Map

Housing

Rent History & Trends

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

Santa Clara

2015$2,772
2020$2,819
2025$3,556

Chicago

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

Annual Cost of Living

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

Santa Clara

Housing$14,527
Food$6,850
Transport$14,083
Healthcare$11,373
Total$67,374

Chicago

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

Key Insights

38.5%
Housing Cost
cheaper in Chicago
$1,368
Monthly Rent Difference
savings per month
11.7%
Income Level
lower median income

Demographics

Santa Clara

Population126,216
Median Age35.2 yrs
Violent Crime Rate481 per 100k
Property Crime Rate2165 per 100k

Chicago

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

Safety & Crime Statistics

Santa Clara

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

Chicago

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or Santa Clara?

Chicago is 38.5% cheaper for housing than Santa Clara. The median home price in Chicago is $525,274 compared to $853,485 in Santa Clara, a savings of $328,211.

What is the rent difference between Santa Clara and Chicago?

Monthly rent in Chicago averages $2,189, while Santa Clara averages $3,556. That's a savings of $1,368 per month, or $16,411 annually.

How do incomes compare between Santa Clara and Chicago?

The median household income in Chicago is $73,194, which is 11.7% lower than Santa Clara's median of $82,922.

Which city is safer: Santa Clara or Chicago?

Santa Clara has a violent crime rate of 481 per 100k residents, while Chicago has 345 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.

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