San Diego is about 8% more expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $108,004 in San Diego.
Chicago vs San Diego: the numbers
| Metric | Chicago | San Diego | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (US=100) | 104 | 112 | +8% |
| Median rent | $1,380 | $2,223 | +61% |
| Median home value | $315,200 | $848,500 | +169% |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $104,321 | +39% |
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 $108,004 in San Diego. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Diego is like $92,589 in Chicago.
Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Chicago and San Diego.