Cost of living comparison
Chicago is 12.0% more expensive than Massachusetts.
- Restaurants
-
pay 15.0% more in Chicago
- Groceries
-
pay 1.1% less in Chicago
- Transportation
-
pay 0.2% more in Chicago
- Housing
-
pay 7.9% less in Chicago
- Childcare
-
pay 43.1% more in Chicago
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 10.7% more in Chicago
- Clothing
-
pay 23.9% more in Chicago
The cost of childcare, clothing, restaurants, entertainment and sports, and transportation in Chicago are more expensive than in Massachusetts. Expenses including housing and groceries are lower in Chicago.
If you lived in Chicago instead of Massachusetts, you would:
pay 15.0% more for restaurants
|
Massachusetts
|
Chicago
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant |
$21.19
|
$25.00
|
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$10.79
|
$11.34
|
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) |
$2.62
|
$3.02
|
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) |
$2.01
|
$2.44
|
|
pay 1.1% less for groceries
|
Massachusetts
|
Chicago
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$3.71
|
$4.19
|
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) |
$7.31
|
$7.87
|
|
| Milk (1 gallon) |
$4.52
|
$3.94
|
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$4.50
|
$3.75
|
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) |
$4.98
|
$6.63
|
|
| Apples (1 lb) |
$2.53
|
$2.44
|
|
| Bananas (1 lb) |
$0.77
|
$0.90
|
|
| Oranges (1 lb) |
$2.15
|
$2.19
|
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) |
$2.69
|
$2.27
|
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) |
$1.71
|
$1.16
|
|
| Onions (1 lb) |
$1.44
|
$1.37
|
|
pay 0.2% more for transportation
|
Massachusetts
|
Chicago
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) |
$3.51
|
$4.16
|
|
| Monthly public transit pass |
$71.71
|
$75.00
|
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) |
$33,785.54
|
$31,965.00
|
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) |
$17.40
|
$14.43
|
|
pay 7.9% less for housing
|
Massachusetts
|
Chicago
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$68.08
|
$58.52
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area |
$2,074.76
|
$2,360.96
|
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center |
$1,940.55
|
$1,512.92
|
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$139.83
|
$126.63
|
|
pay 43.1% more for childcare
|
Massachusetts
|
Chicago
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly |
$1,960.62
|
$2,475.00
|
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters |
$26,428.57
|
$42,300.00
|
|
pay 10.7% more for entertainment and sports
|
Massachusetts
|
Chicago
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) |
$6.63
|
$7.50
|
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area |
$5.00
|
$5.30
|
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$12.10
|
$17.00
|
|
| Monthly membership at local gym |
$81.60
|
$72.00
|
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema |
$14.20
|
$15.00
|
|
pay 23.9% more for clothing
|
Massachusetts
|
Chicago
|
||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$50.62
|
$64.98
|
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$41.05
|
$51.67
|
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$83.58
|
$97.00
|
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) |
$116.52
|
$146.00
|
|
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