Cost of living in Chicago
compared to
Cost of living in Chicago vs. United States overall average
Chicago is 20.9% more expensive than United States overall.
- Restaurants
-
pay 11.2% more in Chicago
- Groceries
-
pay 2.7% more in Chicago
- Transportation
-
pay 4.5% more in Chicago
- Housing
-
pay 13.6% more in Chicago
- Childcare
-
pay 58.2% more in Chicago
- Entertainment and Sports
-
pay 34.1% more in Chicago
- Clothing
-
pay 22.2% more in Chicago
The cost of childcare, entertainment and sports, clothing, housing, restaurants, and transportation in Chicago are more expensive than in United States.
Chicago Cost of Living Breakdown
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meal with drink at inexpensive restaurant | $20.50 |
$15.00
-
$40.00
|
|
Fast food combo meal
McDonalds, or similar
|
$12.00 |
$10.00
-
$15.00
|
| Bottle of Coca-Cola (11 fl. oz) | $2.96 |
$2.00
-
$4.00
|
| Bottle of water (11 fl. oz) | $2.33 |
$1.79
-
$3.00
|
Chicago - Cost of restaurants
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Bread
1 loaf
|
$4.01 |
$2.74
-
$5.51
|
| Local cheese (8 oz) | $7.05 |
$4.41
-
$13.23
|
| Milk (1 gallon) | $4.30 |
$2.99
-
$6.99
|
|
Eggs
1 dozen
|
$5.02 |
$2.50
-
$8.49
|
| Boneless chicken breast (1 lb) | $6.55 |
$2.50
-
$10.00
|
| Apples (1 lb) | $2.31 |
$1.00
-
$3.95
|
| Bananas (1 lb) | $0.79 |
$0.66
-
$2.00
|
| Oranges (1 lb) | $1.85 |
$0.99
-
$4.00
|
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | $2.09 |
$1.00
-
$3.19
|
| Potatoes (1 lb) | $1.16 |
$0.50
-
$2.00
|
| Onions (1 lb) | $1.26 |
$0.50
-
$2.00
|
Chicago - Cost of groceries
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Gasoline (1 gallon) | $3.81 |
$3.20
-
$4.79
|
| Monthly public transit pass | $75.00 |
$75.00
-
$120.00
|
| New Volkswagen Golf 1.4 (standard edition) | $35,691.85 |
$31,000.00
-
$38,295.00
|
| Taxi trip in downtown area (5 miles) | $14.43 |
$14.43
-
$21.40
|
Chicago - Cost of transportation
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Internet connection
50 mbps or faster, cable/dsl
|
$65.83 |
$45.00
-
$100.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment in downtown area | $2,418.00 |
$1,850.00
-
$3,200.00
|
| 1-Bedroom apartment outside city center | $1,692.50 |
$1,400.00
-
$2,200.00
|
|
Utilities for two
(700 sq ft apartment)
including electric, gas, water, heating
|
$141.41 |
$69.97
-
$267.65
|
Chicago - Cost of housing
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Private preschool for 1 child, monthly | $2,050.00 |
$1,200.00
-
$3,000.00
|
| Middle school for 1 child, two semesters | $39,114.29 |
$20,000.00
-
$45,450.00
|
Chicago - Cost of childcare
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic/local beer (1 pint) | $7.00 |
$4.00
-
$10.00
|
| Cappuccino in mid-range area | $5.53 |
$4.00
-
$8.00
|
|
Pack of cigarettes
Marlboro or similar
|
$17.00 |
$14.00
-
$20.00
|
| Monthly membership at local gym | $71.80 |
$20.00
-
$160.00
|
| Movie ticket to theater/cinema | $18.00 |
$14.00
-
$20.00
|
Chicago - Cost of entertainment and sports
|
Cost
|
Range | |
|---|---|---|
|
Regular jeans
Levi's brand
|
$64.24 |
$35.00
-
$100.00
|
|
Regular dress
from H&M or similar store
|
$49.62 |
$30.00
-
$75.00
|
|
Running shoes
Nike or Adidas
|
$99.48 |
$70.00
-
$140.00
|
| Men's business shoes (leather) | $146.50 |
$80.00
-
$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
Watseka,
Belvidere,
Streator,
Havana,
Wheaton,
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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