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San Francisco vs Chicago Cost of Living

Chicago is 40% less expensive than San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

Cost of Living Index 179.6
H-1B Avg Salary $185,948
H-1B Filings 1,989
View full H-1B data →

Chicago, IL

Cost of Living Index 107.3
H-1B Avg Salary $131,704
H-1B Filings 1,634
View full H-1B data →

A $100,000 salary in San Francisco equals $59,744 in Chicago

Salary Conversion Table

What your salary in San Francisco is worth in Chicago

San Francisco Chicago Difference
$50,000 = $29,872 $-20,128
$60,000 = $35,846 $-24,154
$70,000 = $41,821 $-28,179
$75,000 = $44,808 $-30,192
$80,000 = $47,795 $-32,205
$90,000 = $53,769 $-36,231
$100,000 = $59,744 $-40,256
$110,000 = $65,718 $-44,282
$120,000 = $71,693 $-48,307
$125,000 = $74,680 $-50,320
$130,000 = $77,667 $-52,333
$140,000 = $83,641 $-56,359
$150,000 = $89,616 $-60,384
$160,000 = $95,590 $-64,410
$175,000 = $104,552 $-70,448
$180,000 = $107,539 $-72,461
$200,000 = $119,488 $-80,512
$225,000 = $134,424 $-90,576
$250,000 = $149,360 $-100,640
$300,000 = $179,232 $-120,768

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicago more expensive than San Francisco? +

No, Chicago is 40% less expensive than San Francisco. The cost of living index is 107.3 compared to 179.6.

What salary do I need in Chicago to live like I do in San Francisco? +

To maintain your current standard of living, multiply your San Francisco salary by 0.60. For example, a $100,000 salary would need to be $59,744 in Chicago.

What are the biggest cost differences between the cities? +

Housing is typically the largest factor in cost of living differences between cities. Other significant factors include transportation costs, groceries, and healthcare expenses. Use our detailed comparison above to understand the overall cost difference.