Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Chicago vs San Francisco
Chicago vs San Francisco cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Chicago
πΊπΈ San FranciscoChicago is 39% cheaper than San Francisco
Living on $6,989 a month in Chicago feels like about $10,236 in San Francisco β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$333 vs $442
Per month
$6,989 vs $10,236
Local meal
$ 16 vs $ 20
$16 vs $20
Taxi 5 km
$ 18 vs $ 21
$18 vs $21
At a glance
FoodChicago 21% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksChicago 20% cheaper
TransportChicago 13% cheaper
StayChicago 32% cheaper
FunChicago 14% cheaper
- Where Chicago is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (36%β), Hotel night (28%β), Restaurant dinner (24%β)
Item by item
| Item | Chicago | San Francisco | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 16$16 | $ 20$20 | Chicago β20% |
| Street food1 item | $ 7.2$7.2 | $ 9$9 | Chicago β20% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 42$42 | $ 55$55 | Chicago β24% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | $ 6$6 | Chicago β17% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 7$7 | $ 9$9 | Chicago β22% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 18$18 | $ 23$23 | Chicago β22% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2.5$2.5 | Chicago β20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 6.3$6.3 | Chicago β21% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 18$18 | $ 21$21 | Chicago β14% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 11$11 | $ 13$13 | Chicago β15% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 2.75$2.75 | Chicago β9% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 57$57 | $ 67$67 | Chicago β15% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 180$180 | $ 250$250 | Chicago β28% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,100$2,100 | $ 3,300$3,300 | Chicago β36% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4.5$4.5 | Chicago β11% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 24$24 | $ 28$28 | Chicago β14% |
| Haircutcut | $ 34$34 | $ 39$39 | Chicago β13% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 96$96 | $ 110$110 | Chicago β13% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 86$86 | $ 100$100 | Chicago β14% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 24$24 | $ 28$28 | Chicago β14% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Chicago or San Francisco?
Chicago is 39% cheaper than San Francisco. Daily budget $333 vs $442; a month $6,989 vs $10,236.
How do monthly costs compare between Chicago and San Francisco?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chicago is about $6,989 and San Francisco about $10,236 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.