Advertisement
Chicago vs San Diego: prices, pay and housing
| Chicago, IL | San Diego, CA | |
|---|---|---|
| BEA price parity (U.S. = 100) | 103.6 | 111.9 |
| Average salary, all jobs | $73,380 | $79,060 |
| Median salary, all jobs | $54,720 | $58,690 |
| Average salary adjusted for prices | $70,834 | $70,661 |
| Take-home on the average salary* | $56,962 | $61,188 |
| Typical home value | $353,998 | $946,365 |
| Median household income | $88,850 | $102,285 |
| Home price / household income | 4.0 | 9.3 |
| Metro population | 9,359,555 | 3,282,782 |
*Single filer, federal and state income tax and FICA (2026 rules); city income taxes included where we model them.
Compare with another city or state
Equivalent salary: Chicago to San Diego
To keep the same standard of living when moving from Chicago to San Diego, multiply your salary by 1.080.
| Salary in Chicago | Same buying power in San Diego |
|---|---|
| $50,000 in Chicago | $54,002 in San Diego |
| $75,000 in Chicago | $81,003 in San Diego |
| $100,000 in Chicago | $108,004 in San Diego |
| $150,000 in Chicago | $162,006 in San Diego |
| $200,000 in Chicago | $216,008 in San Diego |
Salaries for common jobs in Chicago and San Diego
| Job | Chicago | San Diego | Adjusted for prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $38,490 | $36,830 | $37,154 / $32,917 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,690 | $40,870 | $33,486 / $36,528 |
| Retail Salespersons | $39,370 | $41,850 | $38,004 / $37,404 |
| Cashiers | $35,760 | $39,820 | $34,519 / $35,589 |
| Registered Nurses | $97,930 | $145,060 | $94,532 / $129,649 |
| Office Clerks, General | $49,620 | $51,310 | $47,898 / $45,859 |
| General and Operations Managers | $143,740 | $144,610 | $138,752 / $129,246 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $35,650 | $47,700 | $34,413 / $42,632 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,140 | $44,270 | $41,643 / $39,567 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $41,400 | $41,970 | $39,963 / $37,511 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $40,700 | $42,790 | $39,288 / $38,244 |
| Software Developers | $141,640 | $163,300 | $136,725 / $145,951 |
| Security Guards | $44,360 | $43,110 | $42,821 / $38,530 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | $90,910 | $100,980 | $87,755 / $90,252 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $40,450 | $45,770 | $39,046 / $40,907 |
Advertisement
Average salary vs. price-adjusted salary
More cost of living comparisons
Go deeper
Chicago vs San Diego: questions
Is Chicago more expensive than San Diego?
No. BEA prices are 103.6 in Chicago, IL and 111.9 in San Diego, CA (U.S. = 100).
What salary do I need in San Diego to match $100,000 in Chicago?
About $108,004, before taxes.
Where do salaries go further, Chicago or San Diego?
Chicago, IL: once prices are counted, its average salary buys more.
Sources and how to read this page
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas.
- Home values: Zillow Home Value Index; income and population: Census ACS 5-year 2023.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.