Chicago, IL vs Fremont, CA
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
The headline difference between these two markets is housing: a typical home in Chicago runs $315,000 versus $1.3 million in Fremont, a 76% gap that dominates most relocation math. State income-tax burden also tilts toward Chicago — a top rate of 5.0% versus 13.3% — which compounds at higher incomes.
Median Home Value
$315,200 ✓
$1,289,400
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$1,511,226
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo ✓
$2,905/mo
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
60.2%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
37.0x
Median Household Income
$75,134
$176,350 ✓
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$73,378
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
4.3% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.8%
5.1%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
34.2 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
54.4%
Public Transit %
19.3%
4.7%
Work From Home %
18.3%
30.7%
State Income Tax
5.0%
13.3%
Total Sales Tax
8.7%
8.7% ✓
Property Tax Rate
2.2%
0.7%
Bachelor's Degree %
24.9%
32.5%
Median Age
35.7
38.8
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
69.3°F
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
13.4"
Chicago, IL 2 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
Fremont, CA 3 wins
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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