2025 Compare Cities Cost of Living:
Chicago, IL vs Santa Cruz, CA

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Santa Cruz or is it cheaper to live in Chicago?
- Santa Cruz is 76.0% more expensive than Chicago.

Which city has more affordable housing, Santa Cruz or Chicago?
- Santa Cruz housing costs are 321.5% more expensive than Chicago housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Chicago or is Health Care more affordable in Santa Cruz.
- Health related expenses are 24.1% more in Santa Cruz.
 Chicago, ILSanta Cruz, CAUnited States
 Overall  Unlock186.0100
 Food & Groceries97.2  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock109.2100
 Housing99.8  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$1,270,800$338,100
 Utilities93  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock110.5100
 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 Santa Cruz    44 Reviews

I lived in the Santa Cruz area for 20 years. UCSC alum. Our kids were born there. There are wonderful things about Santa Cruz, but also many serious problems that we  More

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Over 5 years ago

I have been here for four generations! My kids are the fifth. I guess that should tell you how wonderful it is here, at least for us. It's so cool to have world class  More

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I was born over the hill in San Jose area, and as a kid I loved coming over to the boardwalk. Santa Cruz has always been and always will be a town of diversity,  More

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