FairRentWize

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin vs San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley

Fair Market Rent Comparison — HUD 2025 Data

Quick Answer

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is 80% cheaper for renters. A 2-bedroom rents for $1,222/mo vs $2,200/mo in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley — saving $11,736/year.

Rent by Unit Size

Unit SizeChicago-Naperville-ElginSan Francisco-Oakland-BerkeleyDifference
Studio$849$1,456$607
1 Bedroom$1,023$1,848$825
2 Bedrooms$1,222$2,200$978
3 Bedrooms$1,528$2,832$1,304
4 Bedrooms$1,886$3,149$1,263
Median Income$79,852$147,497$67,645

Chicago-Naperville-Elgin

Studio
$849/mo
1 BR
$1,023/mo
2 BR
$1,222/mo
3 BR
$1,528/mo
4 BR
$1,886/mo
Median Income
$79,852/yr
Full Chicago-Naperville-Elgin profile →

San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley

Studio
$1,456/mo
1 BR
$1,848/mo
2 BR
$2,200/mo
3 BR
$2,832/mo
4 BR
$3,149/mo
Median Income
$147,497/yr
Full San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley profile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chicago-Naperville-Elgin or San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley cheaper to rent in?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is cheaper — a 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,222/mo vs $2,200/mo in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley. That's $978/mo or $11,736/year more expensive in San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley (80% higher).
What is the 2-bedroom rent in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin vs San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley?
The HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is $1,222/month. In San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, a 2-bedroom FMR is $2,200/month.
How do incomes compare between Chicago-Naperville-Elgin and San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley?
The median household income in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is $79,852/year. In San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley it is $147,497/year. San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley has the higher median income.
What is the studio rent in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin vs San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley?
A studio apartment Fair Market Rent in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin is $849/mo. In San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley it is $1,456/mo.