Side-by-side comparison

San Antonio vs Chicago

Cost of living comparison for San Antonio, Texas and Chicago, Illinois.

Bottom line

Chicago is approximately 20% more expensive than San Antonio. A single person needs about $3,707/mo in Chicago versus $3,102/mo in San Antonio.

Rent in San Antonio vs Chicago

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

San Antonio · Studio

$1,116

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Chicago is $342 (31%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · 1 bedroom

$1,231

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Chicago is $329 (27%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · 2 bedroom

$1,501

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Chicago is $260 (17%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · 3 bedroom

$1,907

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Chicago is $355 (19%) higher than San Antonio

Income & earnings in San Antonio vs Chicago

Annual figures from Census ACS.

San Antonio · Household income

$70,571

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Chicago is $11,226 (16%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · Individual earnings

$39,582

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Chicago is $9,716 (25%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · Per capita

$35,795

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Chicago is $12,006 (34%) higher than San Antonio

Home values in San Antonio vs Chicago

Average values and property tax.

San Antonio · Average home value

$244,100

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Chicago is $61,100 (25%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · Annual property tax

$4,429

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Chicago is $1,624 (37%) higher than San Antonio

Energy in San Antonio vs Chicago

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

San Antonio · Monthly electricity

$167

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

San Antonio is $51 (44%) higher than Chicago

San Antonio · Monthly gas

$32

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Chicago is $29 (91%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · Annual total

$2,388

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

San Antonio is $264 (12%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in San Antonio vs Chicago

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

San Antonio · Individual premium

$480

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

San Antonio and Chicago are about the same

San Antonio · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

San Antonio and Chicago are about the same

San Antonio · Uninsured rate

15.9%

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

San Antonio is 6.9% (77%) higher than Chicago

Taxes in San Antonio vs Chicago

State income and sales tax.

San Antonio · State income tax

0.0%

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Chicago is 5.0% higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · State sales tax

6.3%

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

San Antonio and Chicago are about the same

San Antonio · Combined sales tax

8.2%

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Chicago is 0.6% (8%) higher than San Antonio

Transportation in San Antonio vs Chicago

Commute time and travel modes.

San Antonio · Average commute

25.8 min

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Chicago is 6.1 min (24%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · Drive alone

70.7%

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

San Antonio is 14.5% (26%) higher than Chicago

San Antonio · Public transit

1.6%

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Chicago is 11.4% (713%) higher than San Antonio

Monthly cost estimates in San Antonio vs Chicago

All categories combined.

San Antonio · Single person

$3,102

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Chicago is $605 (20%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · Couple

$4,467

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Chicago is $698 (16%) higher than San Antonio

San Antonio · Family

$7,015

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Chicago is $796 (11%) higher than San Antonio

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing San Antonio and Chicago.

Is San Antonio or Chicago more expensive?

Chicago is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,102/mo in San Antonio, Texas and $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois, a difference of about 20%.

What is the rent difference between San Antonio and Chicago?

Average one-bedroom rent in San Antonio, Texas is $1,231/mo versus $1,560/mo in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago is approximately $329 (27%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, San Antonio or Chicago?

Chicago has the higher average household income. San Antonio households earn approximately $70,571 per year; Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year.

More on San Antonio and Chicago

Read full profiles for either area, or pick a different pair to compare.

San Antonio profile Chicago profile Compare different areas

About this data

Figures come from official U.S. government sources including the Census Bureau (ACS), HUD Fair Market Rents, and the Energy Information Administration. See our methodology for details.