2026 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Chicago, IL vs Madera, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Madera or is it cheaper to live in Chicago?
- Madera is 1.2% less expensive than Chicago.

Which city has more affordable housing, Madera or Chicago?
- Madera housing costs are 6.2% more expensive than Chicago housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Chicago or is Health Care more affordable in Madera.
- Health related expenses are 4.0% more in Madera.
 Chicago, ILMadera, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock104.4100
 Food & Groceries97.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock91.5100
 Housing99.8  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$351,300$338,100
 Utilities93  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock97.1100
 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 Madera    2 Reviews

I live here for the pass 4 years and in these years I lived in a fifth wheeler I owned a RV motor home but my dreams of selling it went out the window on the4 morning  More

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I live in Madera, Ca. and it has been listed in Sperling's BestPlaces as having a home medium price of $315,000 and a population of approx. 35,000. As an update to  More

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