Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs San Diego

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

Bottom line

San Diego is approximately 22% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $4,511/mo in San Diego versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Chicago vs San Diego

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

San Diego · Studio

$2,145

San Diego is $687 (47%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

San Diego · 1 bedroom

$2,328

San Diego is $768 (49%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

San Diego · 2 bedroom

$2,881

San Diego is $1,120 (64%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

San Diego · 3 bedroom

$3,852

San Diego is $1,590 (70%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Chicago vs San Diego

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

San Diego · Household income

$102,285

San Diego is $20,488 (25%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

San Diego · Individual earnings

$49,552

San Diego is $254 (1%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

San Diego · Per capita

$49,891

San Diego is $2,090 (4%) higher than Chicago

Home values in Chicago vs San Diego

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

San Diego · Average home value

$791,600

San Diego is $486,400 (159%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

San Diego · Annual property tax

$5,542

Chicago is $511 (9%) higher than San Diego

Energy in Chicago vs San Diego

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

San Diego · Monthly electricity

$167

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

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

San Diego · Monthly gas

$50

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

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

San Diego · Annual total

$2,604

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

Healthcare in Chicago vs San Diego

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

San Diego · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and San Diego are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

San Diego · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and San Diego are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

San Diego · Uninsured rate

6.8%

Chicago is 2.2% (32%) higher than San Diego

Taxes in Chicago vs San Diego

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

San Diego · State income tax

13.3%

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

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

San Diego · State sales tax

7.3%

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

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Diego · Combined sales tax

8.8%

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

Transportation in Chicago vs San Diego

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

San Diego · Average commute

25.9 min

Chicago is 6.0 min (23%) higher than San Diego

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

San Diego · Drive alone

67.6%

San Diego is 11.4% (20%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

San Diego · Public transit

2.2%

Chicago is 10.8% (491%) higher than San Diego

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs San Diego

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

San Diego · Single person

$4,511

San Diego is $804 (22%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

San Diego · Couple

$6,941

San Diego is $1,776 (34%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Family

$7,811

San Diego · Family

$10,119

San Diego is $2,308 (30%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and San Diego.

Is Chicago or San Diego more expensive?

San Diego is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $4,511/mo in San Diego, California, a difference of about 22%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and San Diego?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $2,328/mo in San Diego, California. San Diego is approximately $768 (49%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or San Diego?

San Diego has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; San Diego households earn approximately $102,285 per year.

More on Chicago and San Diego

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

Chicago profile San Diego 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.