Chicago vs San Antonio
Cost of Living (2026)

San Antonio is 19% more affordable than Chicago. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Illinois's 4.95%.

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At a glance

Chicago, IL

COL index107
State income tax4.95%
Avg 1BR rent$1,650/mo
Median home price$330K
VS

San Antonio, TX

COL index87 ✓
State income taxNone ✓
Avg 1BR rent$1,100/mo ✓
Median home price$260K ✓

Cost breakdown by category

CategoryChicago indexSan Antonio indexDifference
Housing139112 ✓-27%
Groceries10183 ✓-18%
Transportation10285 ✓-17%
Healthcare10485 ✓-19%
Utilities10186 ✓-15%

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index 2026. Index = 100 is US average. ✓ indicates lower cost.

Salary equivalency: Chicago → San Antonio

What salary in San Antonio gives you the same purchasing power as your Chicago salary?

Salary in ChicagoEquivalent in San AntonioDifference
$60,000$45,000$-15,000
$80,000$60,000$-20,000
$100,000$76,000$-24,000
$130,000$98,000$-32,000
$150,000$113,000$-37,000
$200,000$151,000$-49,000

Chicago vs San Antonio: Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)

When comparing the cost of living between Chicago, IL and San Antonio, TX, San Antonio comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 87 versus 107 for Chicago — a difference of approximately 19%.

State income tax impact

Texas has no state income tax, giving San Antonio workers an immediate 4.95% take-home pay advantage over Chicago workers who pay Illinois's 4.95% state income tax.

Housing costs

The median home price in Chicago is $330,000, compared to $260,000 in San Antonio. Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,650/month in Chicago versus $1,100/month in San Antonio.

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