Chicago vs San Diego
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between Chicago, IL and San Diego, CA.
Chicago, IL
COL Index
107
Monthly Budget
$5,350
State Tax
5.0%
Population
2.7M
San Diego, CA
COL Index
160
Monthly Budget
$8,000
State Tax
12.3%
Population
1.4M
Chicago is 50% less expensive than San Diego
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | Chicago | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $1,823 | $3,135 | -$1,312 |
| Groceries | $686 | $962 | -$276 |
| Transport | $850 | $1,232 | -$382 |
| Healthcare | $420 | $568 | -$148 |
| Utilities | $321 | $480 | -$159 |
| Other | $1,267 | $1,776 | -$509 |
| Total | $5,350 | $8,000 | -$2,650 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | Chicago (IL) | San Diego (CA) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $4,950 | $5,953 | -$1,003 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $25,770 | $26,773 | -$1,003 |
| Take-Home Pay | $74,230 | $73,227 | +$1,003 |
Salary Equivalent
What a Chicago salary is worth in San Diego (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| Chicago Salary | Equivalent in San Diego | San Diego Salary | Equivalent in Chicago |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $74,766 | $50,000 | $33,438 |
| $75,000 | $112,150 | $75,000 | $50,156 |
| $100,000 | $149,533 | $100,000 | $66,875 |
| $150,000 | $224,299 | $150,000 | $100,313 |