Cost of living comparison
Chicago is 16.4% more expensive than Maryland.
- Restaurants
-
pay 26.8% more in Chicago
- Groceries
-
pay 4.6% more in Chicago
- Transportation
-
pay 0.8% less in Chicago
- Housing
-
pay 1.8% less in Chicago
- Childcare
-
pay 44.0% more in Chicago
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 23.0% more in Chicago
- Clothing
-
pay 19.2% more in Chicago
The cost of childcare, restaurants, entertainment and sports, clothing, and groceries in Chicago are more expensive than in Maryland. Expenses including housing and transportation are lower in Chicago.
If you lived in Chicago instead of Maryland, you would:
pay 26.8% more for restaurants
|
Maryland
|
Chicago
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$18.52
|
$25.00
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$9.32
|
$11.34
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.35
|
$3.02
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.01
|
$2.44
|
|
pay 4.6% more for groceries
|
Maryland
|
Chicago
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.64
|
$4.19
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$6.32
|
$7.87
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$3.96
|
$3.94
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$3.43
|
$3.75
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$4.53
|
$6.63
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$2.77
|
$2.44
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.78
|
$0.90
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.48
|
$2.19
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.42
|
$2.27
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.76
|
$1.16
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.32
|
$1.37
|
|
pay 0.8% less for transportation
|
Maryland
|
Chicago
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$3.38
|
$4.16
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$100.44
|
$75.00
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$27,215.38
|
$31,965.00
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$17.66
|
$14.43
|
|
pay 1.8% less for housing
|
Maryland
|
Chicago
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$74.60
|
$58.52
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$1,887.47
|
$2,360.96
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,554.10
|
$1,512.92
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$137.97
|
$126.63
|
|
pay 44.0% more for childcare
|
Maryland
|
Chicago
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,794.91
|
$2,475.00
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$28,176.36
|
$42,300.00
|
|
pay 23.0% more for entertainment and sports
|
Maryland
|
Chicago
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$5.98
|
$7.50
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$4.95
|
$5.30
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$10.40
|
$17.00
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$61.66
|
$72.00
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$14.62
|
$15.00
|
|
pay 19.2% more for clothing
|
Maryland
|
Chicago
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$50.07
|
$64.98
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$39.27
|
$51.67
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$97.44
|
$97.00
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$125.81
|
$146.00
|
|
Change currency:
Help us improve these prices
ASK THE ELSEWHERE COMMUNITY
Join the Elsewhere community and ask a question about Chicago or Maryland. It's a free, question-and-answer based forum to discuss what life is like in countries and cities around the world.