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

Chicago

Illinois
100
VS

Lancaster

California
124

Chicago is 19% cheaper than Lancaster.

$1,380/mo ↓ 19%
Median Rent
$1,696/mo ↑ 23%
$75,134/yr ↓ 1%
Median Income
$76,083/yr ↑ 1%
$315,200 ↓ 23%
Home Value
$409,100 ↑ 30%
$1,502/mo ↓ 14%
Owner Costs
$1,746/mo ↑ 16%
2,707,648
Population
170,013

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
26.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Chicago, IL and Lancaster, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 100 and 124 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $316/month cheaper in Chicago, saving renters about $3,792/year.

Median household income is $949/year higher in Lancaster. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Chicago is $315,200 compared to $409,100 in Lancaster.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago vs Lancaster — common questions

Is Chicago or Lancaster cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Chicago is cheaper to live in with an index of 100 compared to 124 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Chicago and Lancaster?
Median rent in Chicago is $1,380/month and in Lancaster it's $1,696/month — a difference of $316/month.
Which city has higher income, Chicago or Lancaster?
Median household income is $75,134 in Chicago and $76,083 in Lancaster. Median household income is $949/year higher in Lancaster.
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 Lancaster?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago has a cost index of 100 with median rent of $1,380/mo, while Lancaster has a cost index of 124 with rent of $1,696/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View Chicago details → View Lancaster details →

More Comparisons

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