2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Chicago, IL vs California City, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in California City or is it cheaper to live in Chicago?
- California City is 5.6% less expensive than Chicago.

Which city has more affordable housing, California City or Chicago?
- California City housing costs are 24.5% less expensive than Chicago housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Chicago or is Health Care more affordable in California City.
- Health related expenses are 4.1% more in California City.
 Chicago, ILCalifornia City, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock99.8100
 Food & Groceries97.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock91.6100
 Housing99.8  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$252,900$338,100
 Utilities93  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock121.3100
 Miscellaneous139.8  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Chicago    270 Reviews

I've lived in Chicago city and later moved to suburbs when family size increased. Absolutely love this city. This is the cleanest and most beautiful among the major  More

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Chicago is probably the best value in a major city that you can find and my personal favorite city. It will become increasingly important as climate change makes the  More

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I've live on north side and south side, UIC medical center. Don't move here go to the north side. No good amenities, if you get bored with one there is no other choices.  More

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Reviews for California City    6 Reviews

Over 4 years ago

My husband and I moved here in Nov 2014 from San Bernardino and we moved here for one reason, we got an enormous house with lots of land and no neighbors for $64,200. No  More

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California City, CA is a wonderful diverse community that is ever growing, in population and home values. Living here over many months and researching here over 4  More

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Over 9 years ago

Living in Cal City 5+ years I can say this: There are nicer areas than others and I lucked out. My street is quiet, have had no problems and neighbors are nice. There  More

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