Chicago vs San Jose
Side-by-side rent vs buy analysis comparing these two markets
Overall Comparison
Chicago has an edge
Chicago edges ahead based on overall market conditions.
Median Home PriceBETTER
$465,000
Median RentBETTER
$2,200/mo
Price-to-Rent RatioBETTER
17.6
Property Tax Rate
2.27%
Price Change (1Y)
+2.8%
Price Change (5Y)
+13.0%
Break-Even Years
7 years
10-Year Wealth DifferenceBETTER
+$20,000
Median Home Price
$740,000
Median Rent
$2,900/mo
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.3
Property Tax RateBETTER
0.73%
Price Change (1Y)BETTER
+4.2%
Price Change (5Y)BETTER
+28.0%
Break-Even YearsBETTER
6 years
10-Year Wealth Difference
$5,000
Key Differences
Home Prices
Chicago's median home price of $465,000 is lower than San Jose's $740,000 by 37%.
Monthly Rent
Renting in Chicago costs $2,200/mo compared to $2,900/mo in San Jose—a difference of $700/mo.
Buy vs Rent Verdict
Both cities currently favor either option.
Break-Even Timeline
Buying breaks even in 7 years in Chicago vs 6 years in San Jose.
Run Your Own Numbers
This comparison uses median values. Your income, savings, and goals matter. Use our Buy vs Rent calculator to get a personalized analysis.