Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs Sacramento

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and Sacramento, California.

Bottom line

Sacramento is approximately 5% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $3,910/mo in Sacramento versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Chicago vs Sacramento

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

Sacramento · Studio

$1,679

Sacramento is $221 (15%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

Sacramento · 1 bedroom

$1,777

Sacramento is $217 (14%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

Sacramento · 2 bedroom

$2,206

Sacramento is $445 (25%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

Sacramento · 3 bedroom

$2,992

Sacramento is $730 (32%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Chicago vs Sacramento

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

Sacramento · Household income

$88,724

Sacramento is $6,927 (8%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

Sacramento · Individual earnings

$47,214

Chicago is $2,084 (4%) higher than Sacramento

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

Sacramento · Per capita

$41,989

Chicago is $5,812 (14%) higher than Sacramento

Home values in Chicago vs Sacramento

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

Sacramento · Average home value

$498,900

Sacramento is $193,700 (63%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

Sacramento · Annual property tax

$3,768

Chicago is $2,285 (61%) higher than Sacramento

Energy in Chicago vs Sacramento

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

Sacramento · Monthly electricity

$167

Sacramento is $51 (44%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

Sacramento · Monthly gas

$50

Chicago is $11 (22%) higher than Sacramento

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

Sacramento · Annual total

$2,604

Sacramento is $480 (23%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs Sacramento

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

Sacramento · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and Sacramento are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

Sacramento · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and Sacramento are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

Sacramento · Uninsured rate

5.1%

Chicago is 3.9% (76%) higher than Sacramento

Taxes in Chicago vs Sacramento

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

Sacramento · State income tax

13.3%

Sacramento is 8.4% (169%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

Sacramento · State sales tax

7.3%

Sacramento is 1.0% (16%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Sacramento · Combined sales tax

8.8%

Sacramento is 0.0% (0%) higher than Chicago

Transportation in Chicago vs Sacramento

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

Sacramento · Average commute

27.7 min

Chicago is 4.2 min (15%) higher than Sacramento

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

Sacramento · Drive alone

67.6%

Sacramento is 11.4% (20%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

Sacramento · Public transit

1.5%

Chicago is 11.5% (767%) higher than Sacramento

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs Sacramento

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

Sacramento · Single person

$3,910

Sacramento is $203 (5%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

Sacramento · Couple

$5,939

Sacramento is $774 (15%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Family

$7,811

Sacramento · Family

$8,932

Sacramento is $1,121 (14%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and Sacramento.

Is Chicago or Sacramento more expensive?

Sacramento is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,910/mo in Sacramento, California, a difference of about 5%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and Sacramento?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,777/mo in Sacramento, California. Sacramento is approximately $217 (14%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or Sacramento?

Sacramento has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; Sacramento households earn approximately $88,724 per year.

More on Chicago and Sacramento

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

Chicago profile Sacramento 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.