San Jose is about 7% more expensive than Chicago overall — $100,000 in Chicago is worth about $106,591 in San Jose.
Chicago vs San Jose: the numbers
| Metric | Chicago | San Jose | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost-of-living index (US=100) | 104 | 110 | +7% |
| Median rent | $1,380 | $2,617 | +90% |
| Median home value | $315,200 | $1,187,800 | +277% |
| Median household income | $75,134 | $141,565 | +88% |
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 $106,591 in San Jose. Going the other way, $100,000 in San Jose is like $93,817 in Chicago.
Use the calculator below to compare any salary between Chicago and San Jose.