Chicago-Joliet-Naperville vs San Francisco
Cost of Living Comparison
Chicago-Joliet-Naperville
To match your lifestyle in San Francisco, you'd need:
$145,890
The Verdict
Cost of Living Index
Purchasing Power
San Francisco
To match your lifestyle in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, you'd need:
$34,564
The Bottom Line
On a $70,000 salary, you would have $21,123 more per year in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville compared to San Francisco. You'd pay $753 less in taxes in San Francisco, while housing costs 102% more. The cost of living in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville is 11% above avg, while San Francisco is 100% above avg, making Chicago-Joliet-Naperville the more affordable city overall. Your $70,000 salary in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville feels like earning $145,890 in San Francisco once you factor in taxes, rent, and cost of living. For K-12 education, San Francisco has a better pupil-teacher ratio (0:1 vs 0:1). College is more affordable in San Francisco ($21,482 vs $17,920 avg in-state tuition).
K-12 Schools
Colleges & Universities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago-Joliet-Naperville or San Francisco more expensive?
San Francisco is more expensive with a cost of living index of 200.1 vs 111.0 (national average = 100).
What salary in San Francisco equals $70,000 in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville?
You would need to earn approximately $145,890 in San Francisco to maintain the same purchasing power as a $70,000 salary in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, after accounting for taxes, rent, and cost of living differences.
How much is rent in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville vs San Francisco?
Average annual rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $21,372 in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville and $43,248 in San Francisco—housing is 102% more in San Francisco.