City vs city
Chicago, IL vs San Jose, CA
- Rent is 85% lower in Chicago (median $1,440/mo vs $2,669/mo in San Jose).
- Homes cost 269% less in Chicago ($334k vs $1.2M median value).
- On a $75k salary, you'd have about $1,176 more a month after taxes and rent in Chicago.
- Schools rate higher in San Jose (4.3/10 vs 2.4/10).
- Chicago has less violent crime (4.2 vs 5.1 per 1,000 residents; the US rate is 3.6).
- San Jose has milder winters (51°F vs 26°F average).
- San Jose gets more sun (257 vs 189 sunny days a year).
| Chicago | San Jose | |
|---|---|---|
| Median rent | $1,440/mo | $2,669/mo |
| Median home value | $334k | $1.23M |
| Median household income | $78k | $146k |
| Left each month on $75k (after taxes and rent) | $3,395 | $2,219 |
| State income tax on wages | Yes | Yes |
| School rating | 2.4/10 | 4.3/10 |
| Violent crime | 1.2× the US rate | 1.4× the US rate |
| Summer average | 85°F | 81°F |
| Winter average | 26°F | 51°F |
| Sunny days a year | 189 | 257 |
| Walk score | 77 | 52 |
| Population | 2,711,226 | 990,138 |
Population, income, home value and rent: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Taxes: single filer, 2026 federal and state rates, before any city income tax. Violent crime per 1,000 residents; US rate 3.6.
Not sure it's either one?
Tell the AI matcher your budget, job and dealbreakers, and get cities that fit, with the real numbers.
Find my city