Cost of Living: Chicago vs San Antonio (2026)

Chicago vs San Antonio cost of living compared: rent, home prices, and what your salary is really worth. San Antonio is about 9% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $91,429 in San Antonio.

San Antonio is about 9% less expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $91,429 in San Antonio.

Chicago vs San Antonio: the numbers

MetricChicagoSan AntonioDifference
Cost-of-living index (US=100)10495-9%
Median rent$1,380$1,258-9%
Median home value$315,200$219,700-30%
Median household income$75,134$62,917-16%

Cost of living = BEA Regional Price Parities (US average = 100). Rent, home value, and income from the U.S. Census ACS. See our methodology.

What your salary is worth

A $100,000 salary in Chicago has the same buying power as about $91,429 in San Antonio. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Antonio is like $109,374 in Chicago.

Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Chicago and San Antonio.

Compare any salary: Chicago vs San Antonio

What you earn (or want to compare)

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago is more expensive. Its cost-of-living index is 104 vs 95 — a 9% difference. Your money goes further in San Antonio.

About $91,429 — that's what you'd need in San Antonio to maintain the same purchasing power as $100,000 in Chicago.