Cost of living · head to head
Chicago, IL is 3% cheaper than Riverside, CA.
Based on overall price levels from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. 100 equals the national average.
Riverside, CAoverall index
106.4
Chicago, ILoverall index
103.6
Try your own salary
in Riverside, CA
To live the same in Chicago, IL, you’d need about $97,368.
That’s about $2,632 less — Chicago, IL is cheaper.
Where the difference lies
The headline gap is 3%, but housing is where it really shows. Housing in Chicago, IL runs 13% lower than in Riverside, CA (112 vs 129.3), 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 Chicago, IL
| $50,000 in Riverside, CA | $48,684 |
| $75,000 in Riverside, CA | $73,026 |
| $100,000 in Riverside, CA | $97,368 |
| $150,000 in Riverside, CA | $146,053 |
| $200,000 in Riverside, CA | $194,737 |
Each row shows the salary in Chicago, IL that buys the same standard of living as the amount earned in Riverside, CA.
Riverside, CA · housing
129.3
Chicago, IL · housing
112
Common questions
Is Chicago, IL cheaper than Riverside, CA?
Yes — Chicago, IL has an overall cost-of-living index of 103.6 versus 106.4 for Riverside, CA, making it about 3% cheaper.
How much do you need to earn in Chicago, IL to match $100,000 in Riverside, CA?
About $97,368. To keep the same standard of living, salaries scale with local prices, so a $100,000 lifestyle in Riverside, CA costs roughly $97,368 in Chicago, IL.
Is housing cheaper in Chicago, IL than in Riverside, CA?
Housing in Chicago, IL scores 112 versus 129.3 in Riverside, CA — about 13% cheaper. Housing is usually the biggest driver of the overall gap.
What is the cost of living difference between Riverside, CA and Chicago, IL?
Overall, Chicago, IL is about 3% cheaper than Riverside, CA (index 103.6 vs 106.4), with housing 13% lower. Data is from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024.