City Comparison · 2026
Chicago vs San Francisco
Salary, rent, taxes, and purchasing power compared
Purchasing Power
$100k in Chicago = $155k in San Francisco
Metric
Chicago
San Francisco
COL Index
✓1.38
2.14
1BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,000/mo
$3,200/mo
2BR Monthly Rent
✓$2,600/mo
$4,200/mo
State Income Tax
IL
CA
$100k Take-Home
✓$73,786
$73,198
$100k Effective Rate
✓26.21%
26.8%
$100k Savings Potential
✓$49,786
$34,798
After-Tax Income by Salary
| Gross Salary | Chicago IL | San Francisco CA |
|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | $47,278 $3,940/mo · 21.2% eff. | $48,276 $4,023/mo · 19.54% eff. |
| $100,000 | $73,786 $6,149/mo · 26.21% eff. | $73,198 $6,100/mo · 26.8% eff. |
| $150,000 | $105,853 $8,821/mo · 29.43% eff. | $103,090 $8,591/mo · 31.27% eff. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chicago or San Francisco cheaper to live in?
Chicago has a cost-of-living index of 1.38 while San Francisco is 2.14 (1.00 = US average). Chicago is cheaper overall. 1BR rent in Chicago is $2,000/month vs $3,200/month in San Francisco.
How much more do you need to earn in San Francisco vs Chicago?
$100k in Chicago = $155k in San Francisco. Cost of living in San Francisco is higher by 55.1%.
Which city has better after-tax income — Chicago or San Francisco?
On a $100,000 salary, you take home $73,786 in IL (Chicago) and $73,198 in CA (San Francisco). After accounting for rent, your annual savings potential is $49,786 in Chicago vs $34,798 in San Francisco.
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