San Antonio vs Chicago
Cost of Living (2026)

San Antonio is 23% less expensive than Chicago. Plus, Texas has no state income tax vs Illinois's 4.95%.

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At a glance

San Antonio, TX

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

Chicago, IL

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

Cost breakdown by category

CategorySan Antonio indexChicago indexDifference
Housing112 ✓139+27%
Groceries83 ✓101+18%
Transportation85 ✓102+17%
Healthcare85 ✓104+19%
Utilities86 ✓101+15%

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

Salary equivalency: San Antonio → Chicago

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

Salary in San AntonioEquivalent in ChicagoDifference
$60,000$79,000+$19,000
$80,000$106,000+$26,000
$100,000$132,000+$32,000
$130,000$172,000+$42,000
$150,000$198,000+$48,000
$200,000$265,000+$65,000

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

When comparing the cost of living between San Antonio, TX and Chicago, IL, San Antonio comes out significantly more affordable with a COL index of 87 versus 107 for Chicago — a difference of approximately 23%.

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

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