Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs San Bernardino

Cost of living comparison for Chicago, Illinois and San Bernardino, California.

Bottom line

San Bernardino is approximately 6% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $3,918/mo in San Bernardino versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Chicago vs San Bernardino

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

San Bernardino · Studio

$1,776

San Bernardino is $318 (22%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

San Bernardino · 1 bedroom

$1,852

San Bernardino is $292 (19%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

San Bernardino · 2 bedroom

$2,306

San Bernardino is $545 (31%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

San Bernardino · 3 bedroom

$3,079

San Bernardino is $817 (36%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Chicago vs San Bernardino

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

San Bernardino · Household income

$82,184

San Bernardino is $387 (0%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

San Bernardino · Individual earnings

$40,844

Chicago is $8,454 (21%) higher than San Bernardino

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

San Bernardino · Per capita

$33,180

Chicago is $14,621 (44%) higher than San Bernardino

Home values in Chicago vs San Bernardino

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

San Bernardino · Average home value

$475,000

San Bernardino is $169,800 (56%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

San Bernardino · Annual property tax

$3,346

Chicago is $2,707 (81%) higher than San Bernardino

Energy in Chicago vs San Bernardino

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

San Bernardino · Monthly electricity

$167

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

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

San Bernardino · Monthly gas

$50

Chicago is $11 (22%) higher than San Bernardino

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

San Bernardino · Annual total

$2,604

San Bernardino is $480 (23%) higher than Chicago

Healthcare in Chicago vs San Bernardino

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

San Bernardino · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and San Bernardino are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

San Bernardino · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and San Bernardino are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

San Bernardino · Uninsured rate

8.5%

Chicago is 0.5% (6%) higher than San Bernardino

Taxes in Chicago vs San Bernardino

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

San Bernardino · State income tax

13.3%

San Bernardino is 8.4% (169%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

San Bernardino · State sales tax

7.3%

San Bernardino is 1.0% (16%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Bernardino · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Bernardino is 0.0% (0%) higher than Chicago

Transportation in Chicago vs San Bernardino

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

San Bernardino · Average commute

32.5 min

San Bernardino is 0.6 min (2%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

San Bernardino · Drive alone

75.2%

San Bernardino is 19.0% (34%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

San Bernardino · Public transit

0.9%

Chicago is 12.1% (1344%) higher than San Bernardino

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs San Bernardino

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

San Bernardino · Single person

$3,918

San Bernardino is $211 (6%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

San Bernardino · Couple

$5,951

San Bernardino is $786 (15%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Family

$7,811

San Bernardino · Family

$8,931

San Bernardino is $1,120 (14%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and San Bernardino.

Is Chicago or San Bernardino more expensive?

San Bernardino is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $3,918/mo in San Bernardino, California, a difference of about 6%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and San Bernardino?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $1,852/mo in San Bernardino, California. San Bernardino is approximately $292 (19%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or San Bernardino?

San Bernardino has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; San Bernardino households earn approximately $82,184 per year.

More on Chicago and San Bernardino

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

Chicago profile San Bernardino 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.