CostIndexUSA

Champaign, IL vs San Jose, CA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIL
Champaign
92.7
overall index
$1,275/mo rent
CA
San Jose
110.4
overall index
$3,400/mo rent

Champaign is significantly cheaper than San Jose — 19.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $95,300 in San Jose. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+195.9%
Champaign
71.6
San Jose
211.9
🛒 Groceries+12.4%
Champaign
93.6
San Jose
105.2
🚗 Transportation+0.7%
Champaign
104.6
San Jose
105.3
🏥 Healthcare+0.7%
Champaign
94.6
San Jose
95.3
Utilities+73.1%
Champaign
90.5
San Jose
156.7

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Champaign to see what you'd need to earn in San Jose to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in San Jose, CA
$95,300
$15,300 more needed in San Jose

Formula: salary × (110.4 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 1.1909. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Champaign, IL

Median Home Price
$224,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
71.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

San Jose, CA

Median Home Price
$1,569,000
Median Monthly Rent
$3,400
Housing Index
211.9
Price-to-Rent Ratio
38.5×

San Jose has 195.9% higher housing costs compared to Champaign.

Income & Job Market

Champaign, IL

Median Household Income
$62,100
Per Capita Income
$35,400
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
88,302
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyAgricultureRetail

San Jose, CA

Median Household Income
$153,200
Per Capita Income
$87,300
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
1,013,240
Top Industries
TechnologySemiconductorsSoftwareHealthcareFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Champaign, IL
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

San Jose, CA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

73% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.