Side-by-side comparison

Chicago vs San Jose

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

Bottom line

San Jose is approximately 57% more expensive than Chicago. A single person needs about $5,823/mo in San Jose versus $3,707/mo in Chicago.

Rent in Chicago vs San Jose

HUD Fair Market Rents by bedroom count.

Chicago · Studio

$1,458

San Jose · Studio

$2,608

San Jose is $1,150 (79%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 1 bedroom

$1,560

San Jose · 1 bedroom

$2,975

San Jose is $1,415 (91%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 2 bedroom

$1,761

San Jose · 2 bedroom

$3,446

San Jose is $1,685 (96%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · 3 bedroom

$2,262

San Jose · 3 bedroom

$4,477

San Jose is $2,215 (98%) higher than Chicago

Income & earnings in Chicago vs San Jose

Annual figures from Census ACS.

Chicago · Household income

$81,797

San Jose · Household income

$159,674

San Jose is $77,877 (95%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Individual earnings

$49,298

San Jose · Individual earnings

$74,030

San Jose is $24,732 (50%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Per capita

$47,801

San Jose · Per capita

$77,018

San Jose is $29,217 (61%) higher than Chicago

Home values in Chicago vs San Jose

Average values and property tax.

Chicago · Average home value

$305,200

San Jose · Average home value

$1,382,800

San Jose is $1,077,600 (353%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Annual property tax

$6,053

San Jose · Annual property tax

$9,766

San Jose is $3,713 (61%) higher than Chicago

Energy in Chicago vs San Jose

Estimated monthly electricity and gas.

Chicago · Monthly electricity

$116

San Jose · Monthly electricity

$167

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

Chicago · Monthly gas

$61

San Jose · Monthly gas

$50

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

Chicago · Annual total

$2,124

San Jose · Annual total

$2,604

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

Healthcare in Chicago vs San Jose

Marketplace premium estimates and coverage rate.

Chicago · Individual premium

$480

San Jose · Individual premium

$480

Chicago and San Jose are about the same

Chicago · Family premium

$1,350

San Jose · Family premium

$1,350

Chicago and San Jose are about the same

Chicago · Uninsured rate

9.0%

San Jose · Uninsured rate

4.0%

Chicago is 5.0% (125%) higher than San Jose

Taxes in Chicago vs San Jose

State income and sales tax.

Chicago · State income tax

5.0%

San Jose · State income tax

13.3%

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

Chicago · State sales tax

6.3%

San Jose · State sales tax

7.3%

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

Chicago · Combined sales tax

8.8%

San Jose · Combined sales tax

8.8%

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

Transportation in Chicago vs San Jose

Commute time and travel modes.

Chicago · Average commute

31.9 min

San Jose · Average commute

27.0 min

Chicago is 4.9 min (18%) higher than San Jose

Chicago · Drive alone

56.2%

San Jose · Drive alone

61.7%

San Jose is 5.5% (10%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Public transit

13.0%

San Jose · Public transit

2.7%

Chicago is 10.3% (381%) higher than San Jose

Monthly cost estimates in Chicago vs San Jose

All categories combined.

Chicago · Single person

$3,707

San Jose · Single person

$5,823

San Jose is $2,116 (57%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Couple

$5,165

San Jose · Couple

$9,192

San Jose is $4,027 (78%) higher than Chicago

Chicago · Family

$7,811

San Jose · Family

$12,430

San Jose is $4,619 (59%) higher than Chicago

Frequently asked questions

Common questions comparing Chicago and San Jose.

Is Chicago or San Jose more expensive?

San Jose is more expensive overall. A single person needs approximately $3,707/mo in Chicago, Illinois and $5,823/mo in San Jose, California, a difference of about 57%.

What is the rent difference between Chicago and San Jose?

Average one-bedroom rent in Chicago, Illinois is $1,560/mo versus $2,975/mo in San Jose, California. San Jose is approximately $1,415 (91%) more expensive for a one-bedroom apartment.

Which has higher income, Chicago or San Jose?

San Jose has the higher average household income. Chicago households earn approximately $81,797 per year; San Jose households earn approximately $159,674 per year.

More on Chicago and San Jose

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

Chicago profile San Jose 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.