City comparison
Yes. Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 183 in San Francisco, and its violent crime index is 139 versus 156, using 2024-2025 FBI data.
Chicago is cheaper. Median rent is $1,440 a month versus $2,476 in San Francisco.
The income gap between Chicago and San Francisco is significant: $77,902 median household versus $140,970. That spread matters more if you are job hunting locally than if you are remote. Typical rent is $1,440 in Chicago and $2,476 in San Francisco.
Neither city has a clear overall edge here. Chicago costs less and San Francisco pays more: the right call depends on whether you are optimizing for take-home pay or monthly burn rate. Both are defensible choices for different reasons.
The rent gap is real but neighborhoods matter. Chicago at $1,440 average has pockets that run $1,240 and others at $1,840: your actual number depends on which part of the city you land in.
The move
Chicago and San Francisco are 1,854 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $1,440 a month in Chicago to $2,476 a month in San Francisco, up $1,036 a month (72%).
Median household income goes from $77,902 in Chicago to $140,970 in San Francisco, up $63,068 (81%).
The crime index goes from 167 in Chicago to 183 in San Francisco, up 16 points (10%).
The move
San Francisco and Chicago are 1,854 miles apart in a straight line.
Median rent goes from $2,476 a month in San Francisco to $1,440 a month in Chicago, down $1,036 a month (42%).
Median household income goes from $140,970 in San Francisco to $77,902 in Chicago, down $63,068 (45%).
The crime index goes from 183 in San Francisco to 167 in Chicago, down 16 points (9%).
Chicago, IL
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
San Francisco, CA
School quality varies by neighborhood. Check GreatSchools.org for current ratings.
Comparing Chicago and San Francisco? Check mortgage rates before you decide where to buy.
Rent
42% cheaper
Chicago rent is 42% cheaper than San Francisco
Chicago
Winner$1,440/mo
San Francisco
$2,476/mo
Typical rent runs $1,440 a month in Chicago versus $2,476 in San Francisco, so Chicago is 42% cheaper. That's roughly $1,036/month back in your pocket ($12,432/year). Over five years that's $62,160 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in San Francisco, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Chicago is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.
Planning to buy in Chicago? Check mortgage rates before you decide.
Median income
81% higher
San Francisco's median income is 81% higher than Chicago
Chicago
$77,902
San Francisco
Winner$140,970
Median household income is $140,970 in San Francisco versus $77,902 in Chicago, so typical pay runs 81% higher in San Francisco (about $63,068 more household income a year). Higher median income usually signals a stronger local job market and better negotiating leverage on salary. Remote workers should weigh this against cost of living rather than treating it as a direct personal benefit. For people who will actually work in town, San Francisco is the stronger labor market on paper. Chicago can still win if housing is cheap enough to offset the weaker median or if your specific role already pays well there.
Crime index
9% lower crime
Chicago's crime index is 9% lower than San Francisco
Chicago
Winner167 (100 = avg)
San Francisco
183 (100 = avg)
Chicago's crime index is 167 versus 183 in San Francisco (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 9% lower in Chicago. The difference is noticeable without being night-and-day. You will still want to pick the neighborhood carefully in Chicago, but you will usually spend less energy on constant vigilance than you would in San Francisco. Tour both cities after dark before you let a modest index gap close the decision.
Typical weather
13% more comfortable
San Francisco weather is 13% more comfortable than Chicago
Chicago
59°F avg · 65°F highs · comfort 83/100
San Francisco
Winner63°F avg · 69°F highs · comfort 94/100
Chicago averages about 59°F (65°F highs); San Francisco averages about 63°F (69°F highs). Chicago averages around 59°F, so jackets, heating bills, and shorter outdoor seasons are part of daily life. San Francisco averages around 63°F. San Francisco scores 13% closer to the 65-80°F comfort band on this page, so it is the easier default for year-round outdoor errands and evenings. Choose Chicago if you already prefer its hotter or cooler pattern and have budgeted for the AC or heating that comes with it.
Fit check
Families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy
Chicago is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 42% cheaper here at about $1,440 a month. Choose Chicago if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.
Chicago is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 9% lower than San Francisco (167 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.
Fit check
Career-focused movers who want salary upside plus year-round outdoor access
It is also a match for career-focused movers who want salary upside and year-round outdoor access. Median household income runs 81% higher ($140,970), and typical weather is the more comfortable of the two (around 63°F). That pairing is for people who will work hard and then actually use the evenings.
Bottom line
San Francisco runs $2,476/month while Chicago sits at $1,440 — roughly 42% lower on typical leases. Unless your offer letter is San Francisco-sized, that monthly gap compounds fast.
Chicago rent at $1,440/month is still below San Francisco's $2,476, so cost-sensitive households should weigh the lease before the paycheck.
Weather averages land near 59°F in Chicago and 63°F in San Francisco.
Chicago is the default on housing cost at $1,440/month versus $2,476 in San Francisco; San Francisco stays in play when $140,970 local pay or an existing job offer outweighs the $1,036 lease gap.
Common questions
Ready to move to Chicago?
Next steps
Quotes and listings for Chicago when you're ready to act.
Keep researching
Nearby research
Open full neighborhood reports for Chicago and San Francisco, plus other cities in IL and CA.
