Chicago, IL vs San Jose, CA
Cost of living comparison · 2023 Census ACS data
Quick Summary
Housing costs separate Chicago and San Jose more than any other line item — $315,000 versus $1.2 million for a typical home, a 73% spread. 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 ✓
$1,187,800
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$1,435,993
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo ✓
$2,617/mo
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
56.0%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
37.8x
Median Household Income
$75,134
$141,565 ✓
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$63,253
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
4.7% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.8%
7.8%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
30.6 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
64.6%
Public Transit %
19.3%
2.8%
Work From Home %
18.3%
18.5%
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%
26.2%
Median Age
35.7
38.1
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
—
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
18.8"
Chicago, IL 2 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
San Jose, CA 3 wins
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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