Chicago, IL vs San Bernardino, CA
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
Chicago and San Bernardino sit close to each other across the headline cost-of-living indicators — typical homes within 18% of each other, median incomes within 15%. The relocation math comes down to non-housing factors: taxes, commute, climate, and personal preference. 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 ✓
$384,900
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$483,763
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo ✓
$1,433/mo
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
48.5%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
22.4x
Median Household Income
$75,134 ✓
$63,988
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$23,980
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
6.5% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.8%
19.5%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
31.0 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
76.6%
Public Transit %
19.3%
1.4%
Work From Home %
18.3%
5.8%
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%
9.0%
Median Age
35.7
31.9
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
—
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
21.6"
Chicago, IL 3 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
- ✓Median Household Income
San Bernardino, CA 2 wins
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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