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

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Highlights
Is it cheaper to live in Chicago or is it cheaper to live in Santa Rosa?
- Chicago is 30.4% less expensive than Santa Rosa.

Which city has more affordable housing, Chicago or Santa Rosa?
- Chicago housing costs are 55.4% less expensive than Santa Rosa housing costs.

Is Health Care more affordable in Santa Rosa or is Health Care more affordable in Chicago.
- Health related expenses are 20.2% less in Chicago.
 Santa Rosa, CAChicago, ILUnited States
 Overall  Unlock105.7100
 Food & Groceries109.8  Unlock100
 Health  Unlock88.0100
 Housing223.9  Unlock100
 Median Home Cost  Unlock$284,100$338,100
 Utilities100  Unlock100
 Transportation  Unlock138.5100
 Miscellaneous153.3  Unlock100
100 = National Average (Below 100 means cheaper than the US average. Above 100 means more expensive.)
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Reviews for Santa Rosa    43 Reviews

I was born and raised here. Santa Rosa used to be a great city great location great weather but now it is overcrowded and crime is off the charts and housing is crazy  More

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I've lived her over 20 years and it's a pretty nice place. The main vibe is you feel safe doing this day or night. Most of the neighborhoods are well taken care of, they  More

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Terrible city that's hurting for money. After going on a long hiatus from enforcing traffic laws, they've recently turned their highways into an ATM machine/cash cow by  More

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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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