Cost of living in Chicago
Chicago (IL), United States
compared to
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Cost of living in Chicago vs. United States overall average
Chicago is 26.5% more expensive than United States overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 22.1% more in Chicago
- Groceries
-
pay 10.2% more in Chicago
- Transportation
-
pay 3.1% more in Chicago
- Housing
-
pay 5.2% more in Chicago
- Childcare
-
pay 86.5% more in Chicago
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 33.0% more in Chicago
- Clothing
-
pay 25.2% more in Chicago
The cost of childcare, entertainment and sports, clothing, restaurants, groceries, and housing in Chicago are more expensive than in United States. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in Chicago.
Chicago Cost of Living Breakdown
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant | $25.00 |
$17.00
-
$40.00
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$11.34 |
$10.00
-
$14.00
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) | $3.02 |
$2.00
-
$4.00
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) | $2.44 |
$2.00
-
$3.00
|
Chicago - Cost of restaurants
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$4.19 |
$2.76
-
$6.61
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) | $7.87 |
$4.41
-
$13.23
|
| Milk (1 gallon) | $3.94 |
$2.99
-
$7.00
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.75 |
$1.99
-
$6.00
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) | $6.63 |
$3.00
-
$10.00
|
| Apples (1 lb) | $2.44 |
$0.99
-
$4.00
|
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.90 |
$0.69
-
$2.00
|
| Oranges (1 lb) | $2.19 |
$0.99
-
$5.00
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $2.27 |
$1.00
-
$4.00
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $1.16 |
$0.50
-
$2.00
|
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.37 |
$0.69
-
$2.00
|
Chicago - Cost of groceries
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) | $4.16 |
$3.49
-
$4.99
|
| Monthly public transit pass | $75.00 |
$75.00
-
$110.00
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) | $31,965.00 |
$25,000.00
-
$37,383.69
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) | $14.43 |
$14.43
-
$28.85
|
Chicago - Cost of transportation
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$58.52 |
$40.00
-
$89.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area | $2,360.96 |
$1,900.00
-
$3,000.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center | $1,512.92 |
$1,300.00
-
$1,950.00
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$126.63 |
$77.74
-
$225.59
|
Chicago - Cost of housing
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly | $2,475.00 |
$2,000.00
-
$3,000.00
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters | $42,300.00 |
$36,000.00
-
$45,450.00
|
Chicago - Cost of childcare
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) | $7.50 |
$4.00
-
$10.00
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area | $5.30 |
$4.00
-
$8.00
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$17.00 |
$13.00
-
$20.00
|
| Monthly membership at local gym | $72.00 |
$25.00
-
$150.00
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema | $15.00 |
$14.00
-
$20.00
|
Chicago - Cost of entertainment and sports
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$64.98 |
$40.00
-
$98.00
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$51.67 |
$30.00
-
$90.00
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$97.00 |
$60.00
-
$130.00
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) | $146.00 |
$89.00
-
$250.00
|
Chicago - Cost of clothing
Tip: Try viewing our aggregate cost of living in Illinois
to see the average cost of cities throughout Illinois, like
Normal,
Schaumburg,
Bourbonnais,
Batavia,
Havana,
and more.
For a detailed breakdown of Santa Cruz vs. the national average, see the cost of living in United States compared to Chicago.
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