Chicago vs Lancaster: Cost of Living Comparison
How does the cost of living in Chicago, Illinois compare to Lancaster, California? Below is a side-by-side breakdown of housing costs, income, wages, and taxes using official government data.
Summary: Chicago is the more affordable city overall. Housing costs are 17% lower in Chicago compared to Lancaster, while rent is 17% lower. State income tax is 4.95% in IL vs 13.3% in CA.
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Lancaster, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing | |||
| Median Home Value | $304,500 | $368,800 | -17.4% |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,314 | $1,576 | -16.6% |
| Income | |||
| Median Household Income | $71,673 | $71,367 | same |
| Per Capita Income | $45,840 | $28,082 | +63.2% |
| Taxes | |||
| State Income Tax Rate | 5.0% | 13.3% | -62.8% |
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.8% | 8.7% | +1.7% |
| Demographics | |||
| Population | 2,721,914 | 171,465 | +1487.4% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022), Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. State/local tax rates from Tax Foundation (2024).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Chicago
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — Lancaster
Default home price from Census ACS median. Mortgage rate: 6.38% (Freddie Mac PMMS, March 2026). Property tax est. 1.1%, insurance est. 0.35% of home value annually.
Key Takeaways
- Housing: The median home in Chicago costs $304,500 compared to $368,800 in Lancaster — a 17% discount.
- Rent: Median rent is $1,314/mo in Chicago vs $1,576/mo in Lancaster.
- Income: Median household income is $71,673 in Chicago and $71,367 in Lancaster.
- Taxes: State income tax is 4.95% in Illinois vs 13.3% in California.
Methodology
This comparison uses data from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2022) for median household income, median home value, median gross rent, per capita income, and population. State and local tax rates are sourced from the Tax Foundation. Mortgage rates are from the Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey (updated weekly).