Cost of living · head to head
Riverside, CA is 3% pricier than Chicago, IL.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Chicago, ILoverall index
103.6
Riverside, CAoverall index
106.4
Try your own salary
in Chicago, IL
To live the same in Riverside, CA, you’d need about $102,703.
That’s about $2,703 more — Riverside, CA is pricier.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 3%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Riverside, CA runs 15% higher than in Chicago, IL (129.3 vs 112), while everyday goods and services sit closer together. For most people the rent or mortgage line moves the most when relocating between these two metros, so weigh that gap more heavily than the overall figure.
Salary you’d need in Riverside, CA
| $50,000 in Chicago, IL | $51,351 |
| $75,000 in Chicago, IL | $77,027 |
| $100,000 in Chicago, IL | $102,703 |
| $150,000 in Chicago, IL | $154,054 |
| $200,000 in Chicago, IL | $205,405 |
Each row shows the salary in Riverside, CA that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Chicago, IL.
Chicago, IL · housing
112
Riverside, CA · housing
129.3
Common questions
Is Riverside, CA cheaper than Chicago, IL?
No — Riverside, CA has an overall cost-of-living index of 106.4 versus 103.6 for Chicago, IL, making it about 3% more expensive.
How much do you need to earn in Riverside, CA to match $100,000 in Chicago, IL?
About $102,703. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Chicago, IL costs roughly $102,703 in Riverside, CA.
Is housing cheaper in Riverside, CA than in Chicago, IL?
Housing in Riverside, CA scores 129.3 versus 112 in Chicago, IL — about 15% more expensive. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Chicago, IL and Riverside, CA?
Overall, Riverside, CA is about 3% pricier than Chicago, IL (index 106.4 vs 103.6), with housing 15% higher. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.