City vs city
Chicago vs San Jose
$100,000 in Chicago buys a lifestyle closer to $155,000 in San Jose, because San Jose's cost-of-living index is 172 versus 111.
Chicago
Big-city wages and transit without coastal housing prices. Illinois flat tax plus property taxes matter.
- COL index
- 111
- Typical 1-bed
- $1,850/mo
- Comfortable salary
- $94,000
- $100k take-home
- $74,375
San Jose
The heart of Silicon Valley. Home prices are among the highest in the country.
- COL index
- 172
- Typical 1-bed
- $2,900/mo
- Comfortable salary
- $146,000
- $100k take-home
- $73,957
More comparisons: vs New York Cityvs San Franciscovs San Josevs Oaklandvs Los Angelesvs San Diego