Cost of living comparison
Chicago is 30.2% more expensive than Illinois.
- Restaurants
-
pay 29.8% more in Chicago
- Groceries
-
pay 24.2% more in Chicago
- Transportation
-
pay 3.0% more in Chicago
- Housing
-
pay 21.1% more in Chicago
- Childcare
-
pay 75.4% more in Chicago
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 33.4% more in Chicago
- Clothing
-
pay 24.2% more in Chicago
The cost of childcare, entertainment and sports, restaurants, groceries, clothing, and housing in Chicago are more expensive than in Illinois. Notably, childcare is significantly more expensive in Chicago.
If you lived in Chicago instead of Illinois, you would:
pay 29.8% more for restaurants
Illinois
|
Chicago
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$16.03
|
$25.00
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$10.33
|
$11.34
|
|
Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.49
|
$3.02
|
|
Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$1.85
|
$2.44
|
|
pay 24.2% more for groceries
Illinois
|
Chicago
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.19
|
$4.19
|
|
Local cheese (8 oz) |
$5.63
|
$7.87
|
|
Milk (1 gallon) |
$3.30
|
$3.94
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$2.92
|
$3.75
|
|
Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$5.08
|
$6.63
|
|
Apples (1 lb) |
$2.10
|
$2.44
|
|
Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.66
|
$0.90
|
|
Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.05
|
$2.19
|
|
Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$1.82
|
$2.27
|
|
Potatoes (1 lb) |
$0.98
|
$1.16
|
|
Onions (1 lb) |
$1.20
|
$1.37
|
|
pay 3.0% more for transportation
Illinois
|
Chicago
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$3.61
|
$4.16
|
|
Monthly public transit pass |
$72.95
|
$75.00
|
|
New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$28,096.73
|
$31,965.00
|
|
Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$17.96
|
$14.43
|
|
pay 21.1% more for housing
Illinois
|
Chicago
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$65.96
|
$58.52
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,375.37
|
$2,360.96
|
|
1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,146.99
|
$1,512.92
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$137.37
|
$126.63
|
|
pay 75.4% more for childcare
Illinois
|
Chicago
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,394.11
|
$2,475.00
|
|
Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$24,405.00
|
$42,300.00
|
|
pay 33.4% more for entertainment and sports
Illinois
|
Chicago
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$5.17
|
$7.50
|
|
Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$4.81
|
$5.30
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$9.79
|
$17.00
|
|
Monthly membership at local gym |
$60.87
|
$72.00
|
|
Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$12.50
|
$15.00
|
|
pay 24.2% more for clothing
Illinois
|
Chicago
|
||
---|---|---|---|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$51.50
|
$64.98
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$41.59
|
$51.67
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$80.60
|
$97.00
|
|
Men's business shoes (leather) |
$115.89
|
$146.00
|
|
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