Chicago, IL vs Santa Ana, 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 $658,000 in Santa Ana, a 52% 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 ✓
$657,800
Zillow Home Value
$312,456
$847,508
Median Gross Rent
$1,380/mo ✓
$1,975/mo
Owner Occupied %
45.5%
44.6%
Price-to-Rent Ratio
19.0x
27.8x
Median Household Income
$75,134
$88,354 ✓
Per Capita Income
$48,148
$28,859
Unemployment Rate
7.9%
5.2% ✓
Poverty Rate
16.8%
11.1%
Avg Commute (min)
36.7 min
27.0 min
Drove Alone %
46.0%
70.8%
Public Transit %
19.3%
3.0%
Work From Home %
18.3%
8.7%
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%
12.8%
Median Age
35.7
34.3
Avg High Temp
60.3°F
72.6°F
Annual Precipitation
34.4"
11.2"
Chicago, IL 2 wins
- ✓Median Home Value
- ✓Median Gross Rent
Santa Ana, CA 3 wins
- ✓Total Sales Tax
- ✓Median Household Income
- ✓Unemployment Rate
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