Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN vs. San Germán, PR Comparison (2026)
Empirical side-by-side analysis of regional cost of living, HUD fair market rents, statutory tax burdens, and occupational compensation spread.
Featured Metro Comparisons
BLS median wage across all occupations, HUD one-bedroom Fair Market Rent, and state and local income tax on a $75,000 salary for a single filer, first metro over second.
| Comparison | Median Wage | 1BR Rent / mo | Tax on $75k | Median Buys More In |
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Featured Occupation Comparisons
National BLS OEWS median wage and employment, first occupation over second.
| Comparison | National Median | BLS Jobs | Higher Median |
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How the comparisons are calculated
Metro comparisons use each area's BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage across all occupations, HUD's FY2027 one-bedroom Fair Market Rent, and the state and local income tax a single filer owes on $75,000 under 2026 rules. "Median buys more in" divides each median by the area's living-cost index from the EPI Family Budget Calculator; it reads "Not published" where BLS or EPI publishes no figure for the area.
Occupation comparisons use national BLS OEWS medians and job counts. Each comparison page goes further: the occupations both metros publish wages for, or each occupation's 10th to 90th percentile pay and the metros where both are published. Pick any two metros or occupations above to build your own comparison.
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
San Germán, PR
Executive Takeaway & Purchasing Power Verdict
The BLS median wage across all occupations is $54,720 in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN and $25,270 in San Germán, PR (BLS figure for the Mayaguez, PR metro area), 53.8% lower in San Germán. HUD's one-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,780 a month in Chicago and $455 in San Germán (74.4% lower in San Germán). On a $75,000 salary a single filer pays $10,792 in income tax (federal, state or Puerto Rico, and local) in San Germán versus $11,238 in Chicago, $446 less a year in San Germán. EPI publishes no family budget for at least one of these metros, so no cost-of-living equivalent salary is shown.
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN vs San Germán, PR: Shared Occupation Wages
Comparing empirical BLS median wages across common professions in both labor markets.
| Category / Role | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN Median | San Germán, PR Median | Advantage Delta | Action |
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Head-to-Head Comparison Frequently Asked Questions
Is rent cheaper in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN or San Germán, PR?
HUD's one-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,780 a month in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN and $455 in San Germán, PR. EPI publishes no family budget for at least one of these metros, so an overall cost-of-living comparison is not available.
Do jobs pay more in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN or San Germán, PR?
The BLS median wage across all occupations is $54,720 in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN and $25,270 in San Germán, PR (BLS figure for the Mayaguez, PR metro area). Pay for a specific occupation can differ; the table on this page compares BLS medians for occupations published in both metros.
How do income taxes compare between Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN and San Germán, PR?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN has a top state rate of 4.95%; a single filer earning $75,000 pays $11,238 in income tax (federal, state or Puerto Rico, and local) there. San Germán, PR has a top Puerto Rico rate of 33% and no federal income tax on local wages; a single filer earning $75,000 pays $10,792 in income tax (federal, state or Puerto Rico, and local) there. Puerto Rico residents pay Puerto Rico income tax instead of federal income tax on Puerto Rico wages (IRC 933), so federal income tax is included; FICA is the same in both.
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN vs. San Germán, PR: Reverse Comparison & Regional Hubs
Side-by-side wage, living expense, & tax arbitrage comparison for Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN vs. San Germán, PR. Empirical BLS earnings & HUD benchmarks. Official 2026 economic data for Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN vs. San Germán, PR compiled from Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, HUD Fair Market Rents, and statutory tax codes.
Quick answers
HUD's one-bedroom Fair Market Rent is $1,780 a month in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN and $455 in San Germán, PR. EPI publishes no family budget for at least one of these metros, so an overall cost-of-living comparison is not available.
The BLS median wage across all occupations is $54,720 in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN and $25,270 in San Germán, PR (BLS figure for the Mayaguez, PR metro area). Pay for a specific occupation can differ; the table on this page compares BLS medians for occupations published in both metros.