Cost of Living: Chicago, IL vs Fresno, CA (2026)

Chicago

Illinois
100
VS

Fresno

California
101

Chicago and Fresno have a similar cost of living.

$1,380/mo ↑ 4%
Median Rent
$1,324/mo ↓ 4%
$75,134/yr ↑ 12%
Median Income
$66,804/yr ↓ 11%
$315,200 ↓ 10%
Home Value
$348,500 ↑ 11%
$1,502/mo ↑ 8%
Owner Costs
$1,391/mo ↓ 7%
2,707,648
Population
543,615

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
13.3%
6.25%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
2.07%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

22.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
23.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Chicago, IL and Fresno, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 101 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $56/month cheaper in Fresno, saving renters about $672/year.

Median household income is $8,330/year higher in Chicago. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Chicago is $315,200 compared to $348,500 in Fresno.

Illinois has a lower income tax rate, making Chicago slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago vs Fresno — common questions

Is Chicago or Fresno cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Chicago is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 101 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Chicago and Fresno?
Median rent in Chicago is $1,380/month and in Fresno it's $1,324/month — a difference of $56/month.
Which city has higher income, Chicago or Fresno?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago and $66,804 in Fresno. Median household income is $8,330/year higher in Chicago.
How do taxes compare between Illinois and California?
Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to Chicago or Fresno?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,380/mo, while Fresno has a cost index of 101 with rent of $1,324/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Chicago details → View Fresno details →

More Comparisons

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