Chicago vs San Antonio: Cost of Living (2026)
A side-by-side comparison of Chicago, IL and San Antonio, TX, using US Census Bureau data.
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Antonio, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,721,914 | 1,445,662 |
| Median household income | $71,673 | $59,593 |
| Median home value | $304,500 | $198,000 |
| Median rent (/mo) | $1,314 | $1,189 |
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Highlighted cell = more affordable / higher income.
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compare-top (set NEXT_PUBLIC_ADSENSE_CLIENT to serve real ads)Comparing Chicago, IL and San Antonio, TX comes down to what you value most. San Antonio has the lower median home value, and San Antonio has the lower median rent.
Chicago has the higher median household income, which affects how far a paycheck stretches against local housing costs. The table below breaks down the key numbers side by side, all sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Frequently asked questions
- Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or San Antonio?
- By median home value, San Antonio is the cheaper of the two ($198,000 vs $304,500). Rent and income differ too — see the full comparison above.
- Which has higher salaries, Chicago or San Antonio?
- Median household income is $71,673 in Chicago versus $59,593 in San Antonio, per the US Census Bureau.