City comparison
23 attributes compared, 23 with verified data on both sides. The higher value in each row is bolded for scanning — higher isn’t always better (e.g. lower cost), so weigh each against your goal.
Chicago
17
metrics won
San Francisco
3
metrics won
Chicago wins on 17 of 20 comparable money metrics. Details below — and remember, “better” depends on your goal.
| Attribute | Chicago | San Francisco | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living index (index) | 94 | 115 | +21 |
| Attribute | Chicago | San Francisco | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Count (count) | 18 | 15 | −3 |
Analysis
Chicago and San Francisco are compared across 23 city attributes, 23 with verified data on both sides. The comparison below is built entirely from evidence-backed facts in the knowledge graph.
Decision intelligence
Every value is backed by stored evidence and a confidence score. Information is for general guidance only.
| Attribute | Chicago | San Francisco | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Groceries (mid) (/month) | $380 | $480 | +100 |
| Inexpensive Restaurant Meal (/meal) | $18 | $22 | +4 |
| Attribute | Chicago | San Francisco | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor Visit (/visit) | $140 | $170 | +30 |
| Health Insurance (/month) | $400 | $450 | +50 |
| Attribute | Chicago | San Francisco | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent — 1BR City Centre (/month) | $2,200 | $3,300 | +1,100 |
| Rent — 1BR Outside Centre (/month) | $1,600 | $2,600 | +1,000 |
| Rent — 3BR City Centre (/month) | $3,800 | $6,000 | +2,200 |
| Attribute | Chicago | San Francisco | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Program Count (count) | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| Attribute | Chicago | San Francisco | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet 60 Mbps (/month) | $55 | $65 | +10 |
| Attribute | Chicago | San Francisco | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Safety Index (score) | 44 | 46 | +2 |
| Digital Nomad Score (score) | 64 | 70 | +6 |
| Attribute | Chicago | San Francisco | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (count) | 2,700,000 | 810,000 | −1,890,000 |
| Latitude (degrees) | 41.878 | 37.775 | −4.103 |
| Longitude (degrees) | -87.63 | -122.419 | −34.79 |
| Attribute | Chicago | San Francisco | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mobile 10GB (/month) | $50 | $50 | 0 |
| Attribute | Chicago | San Francisco | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchasing power index (index) | 152 | 124 | −28 |
| Attribute | Chicago | San Francisco | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savings score (score) | 47 | 24 | −23 |
| Attribute | Chicago | San Francisco | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Income Tax Rate (%) | 32% | 34% | +2 |
| VAT Rate (%) | 10.25% | 8.625% | −1.625 |
| Attribute | Chicago | San Francisco | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Transit Pass (/month) | $75 | $81 | +6 |
| Attribute | Chicago | San Francisco | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utilities (85 sqm) (/month) | $160 | $160 | 0 |
Across the 23 shared metrics, Chicago posts the higher figure on 7 and San Francisco on 13. Whether higher is better depends on the metric — lower is preferable for costs and taxes, higher for salaries and economic output.
Questions
Chicago and San Francisco are compared across 23 city attributes, 23 with verified data on both sides. The comparison below is built entirely from evidence-backed facts in the knowledge graph.
Chicago is 2,700,000 count and San Francisco is 810,000 count, a difference of about 70%.
Chicago is 47 score and San Francisco is 24 score, a difference of about 49%.
Chicago is $1,600 /month and San Francisco is $2,600 /month, a difference of about 38%.
Chicago is $3,800 /month and San Francisco is $6,000 /month, a difference of about 37%.
On rent — 1br outside centre, Chicago is the lower of the two (Chicago: $1,600 /month, San Francisco: $2,600 /month). Overall affordability depends on which costs matter most to you.