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Chicago vs San Francisco: prices, pay and housing
| Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 103.6 | 115.6 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $73,380 | $100,220 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $54,720 | $74,260 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $70,834 | $86,686 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,962 | $74,106 |
| Typical home value | $353,998 | $1,149,215 |
| Median household income | $88,850 | $133,780 |
| Home price / household income | 4.0 | 8.6 |
| Metro population | 9,359,555 | 4,653,593 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Chicago to San Francisco
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Chicago to San Francisco, multiply your salary by 1.116.
| Salary in Chicago | Same buying power in San Francisco |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Chicago | $55,800 in San Francisco |
| $75,000 in Chicago | $83,701 in San Francisco |
| $100,000 in Chicago | $111,601 in San Francisco |
| $150,000 in Chicago | $167,401 in San Francisco |
| $200,000 in Chicago | $223,202 in San Francisco |
Salaries for common jobs in Chicago and San Francisco
| Job | Chicago | San Francisco | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,490 | $38,810 | $37,154 / $33,569 |
| Software Developers | $141,640 | $193,430 | $136,725 / $167,308 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,690 | $44,620 | $33,486 / $38,594 |
| General and Operations Managers | $143,740 | $177,240 | $138,752 / $153,305 |
| Registered Nurses | $97,930 | $176,900 | $94,532 / $153,010 |
| Retail Salespersons | $39,370 | $47,290 | $38,004 / $40,904 |
| Cashiers | $35,760 | $43,260 | $34,519 / $37,418 |
| Office Clerks, General | $49,620 | $56,950 | $47,898 / $49,259 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,140 | $51,280 | $41,643 / $44,355 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | $83,770 | $110,360 | $80,863 / $95,456 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $41,400 | $48,720 | $39,963 / $42,141 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,650 | $46,460 | $34,413 / $40,186 |
| Security Guards | $44,360 | $50,270 | $42,821 / $43,481 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,700 | $47,210 | $39,288 / $40,835 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $91,990 | $120,780 | $88,798 / $104,469 |
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Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
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Chicago vs San Francisco: questions
Is Chicago more expensive than San Francisco?
No. BEA prices are 103.6 in Chicago, IL and 115.6 in San Francisco, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Francisco to match $100,000 in Chicago?
About $111,601, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Chicago or San Francisco?
San Francisco, CA: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
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