Cost of Living Comparison Between San Rafael, CA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between San Rafael, CA and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,409 per month in San Rafael, CA vs $3,009 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,635 per month in San Rafael, CA vs $4,593 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,861 per month in San Rafael, CA vs $6,177 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

San Rafael, CA costs about 47% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both San Rafael, CA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – San Rafael, CA by 229%, Chicago, IL by 125%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$22.21 $22.21

$20.35 $20.35

9.14%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$65.1 $65.1

$102 $102

-35.93%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.10 $11.10

$11.98 $11.98

-7.35%

Cappuccino

$5.64 $5.64

$5.70 $5.70

-1.05%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.72 $2.72

$3.00 $3.00

-9.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.46 $2.46

2.85%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.13 $6.13

$6.87 $6.87

-10.77%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.29 $9.29

$8.09 $8.09

14.83%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$1.03 $1.03

18.45%

White Bread (500g)

$3.97 $3.97

$3.95 $3.95

0.51%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.64 $6.64

$5.42 $5.42

22.51%

Eggs

$4.49 $4.49

$4.50 $4.50

-0.22%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.41 $15.41

$14.53 $14.53

6.06%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.09 $13.09

$14.89 $14.89

-12.09%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.27 $18.27

$18.98 $18.98

-3.74%

Apples (1kg)

$4.98 $4.98

$5.39 $5.39

-7.61%

Banana (1kg)

$2.95 $2.95

$1.77 $1.77

66.67%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.11 $6.11

$4.35 $4.35

40.46%

Tomato (1kg)

$8.68 $8.68

$4.53 $4.53

91.61%

Potato (1kg)

$3.88 $3.88

$2.53 $2.53

53.36%

Onion (1kg)

$3.97 $3.97

$2.81 $2.81

41.28%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.40 $2.40

$2.51 $2.51

-4.38%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.93 $2.93

$2.67 $2.67

9.74%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.13 $11.13

$14.88 $14.88

-25.20%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.85 $12.85

$15.22 $15.22

-15.57%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.17 $2.17

$2.46 $2.46

-11.79%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.44 $3.44

$3.53 $3.53

-2.55%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.48 $1.48

$2.56 $2.56

-42.19%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.24 $30.24

$74.3 $74.3

-59.30%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.46 $3.46

$3.19 $3.19

8.46%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.58 $1.58

$1.41 $1.41

12.06%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.32 $29.32

$25.49 $25.49

15.03%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 $1.23

$1.04 $1.04

18.27%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$26.7K $26.7K

$32.2K $32.2K

-17.21%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.9K $26.9K

$26.8K $26.8K

0.45%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$189 $189

$184 $184

2.66%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$50.3 $50.3

$63.1 $63.1

-20.27%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.5 $60.5

$66.4 $66.4

-8.93%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$250 $250

$75.9 $75.9

229.25%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$40.32 $40.32

$13.06 $13.06

208.73%

Cinema Ticket

$14.76 $14.76

$15.25 $15.25

-3.21%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$2,023 $2,023

$2,090 $2,090

-3.20%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.9K $23.9K

$39.2K $39.2K

-39.10%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$41.58 $41.58

$64.2 $64.2

-35.23%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.28 $38.28

$51.0 $51.0

-24.94%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 $102

$97.2 $97.2

5.42%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$125 $125

$149 $149

-16.03%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,328 $3,328

$2,341 $2,341

42.17%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,780 $2,780

$1,572 $1,572

76.79%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,984 $3,984

$4,741 $4,741

-15.96%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,329 $3,329

$2,819 $2,819

18.08%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,411 $7,411

$3,900 $3,900

90.03%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,396 $5,396

$2,638 $2,638

104.53%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,312 $5,312

$4,769 $4,769

11.39%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.32

6.6

-4.24%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for San Rafael, CA: April 25, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,328 in San Rafael, CA versus $2,341 in Chicago, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 11% higher in San Rafael, CA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $65.0 in San Rafael, CA versus $102 in Chicago, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $481 in San Rafael, CA vs $447 in Chicago, IL – so Chicago, IL wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

San Rafael, CA vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $4,409 in San Rafael, CA, $3,009 in Chicago, IL – roughly 47% apart. San Rafael, CA costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,614 per month in San Rafael, CA and $4,513 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Chicago, IL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 8% more in San Rafael, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $65.0 in San Rafael, CA and $102 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $4,409 in San Rafael, CA and $3,009 in Chicago, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,009 in Chicago, IL to $4,409 in San Rafael, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, San Rafael, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.