San Francisco vs Chicago
Side-by-side comparison of cost of living, state income tax, housing estimates, and salary equivalents between San Francisco, CA and Chicago, IL.
San Francisco, CA
COL Index
179
Monthly Budget
$8,950
State Tax
12.3%
Population
0.9M
Chicago, IL
COL Index
107
Monthly Budget
$5,350
State Tax
5.0%
Population
2.7M
San Francisco is 67% more expensive than Chicago
Monthly Cost Breakdown
Estimated monthly costs for a typical household in each city.
| Category | San Francisco | Chicago | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | $3,605 | $1,823 | +$1,782 |
| Groceries | $1,061 | $686 | +$375 |
| Transport | $1,369 | $850 | +$519 |
| Healthcare | $621 | $420 | +$201 |
| Utilities | $537 | $321 | +$216 |
| Other | $1,958 | $1,267 | +$691 |
| Total | $8,950 | $5,350 | +$3,600 |
Tax Comparison on $100K Salary
Estimated annual taxes for a single filer earning $100,000 in each city.
| Component | San Francisco (CA) | Chicago (IL) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Tax | $13,170 | $13,170 | $0 |
| State Tax | $5,953 | $4,950 | +$1,003 |
| FICA | $7,650 | $7,650 | $0 |
| Total Tax | $26,773 | $25,770 | +$1,003 |
| Take-Home Pay | $73,227 | $74,230 | -$1,003 |
Salary Equivalent
What a San Francisco salary is worth in Chicago (and vice versa), adjusted for cost of living.
| San Francisco Salary | Equivalent in Chicago | Chicago Salary | Equivalent in San Francisco |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $29,888 | $50,000 | $83,645 |
| $75,000 | $44,832 | $75,000 | $125,467 |
| $100,000 | $59,777 | $100,000 | $167,290 |
| $150,000 | $89,665 | $150,000 | $250,935 |