Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Chicago and Fresno have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Illinois salaries · California salaries
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Chicago has a housing index of 112 while Fresno sits at 111 (national average = 100). The median home in Chicago costs $310,000 compared to $330,000 in Fresno, a difference of $20,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,700 in Chicago versus $1,300 in Fresno.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Chicago scores 104 while Fresno scores 101. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Chicago (101) are higher than Fresno (100). Both are close to the national average.
Median household income in Chicago is $62,097 compared to $53,838 in Fresno. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
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