Cost of Living Comparison Between Acton, MA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Acton, MA and Chicago, IL

🙂 Solo nomad: Acton, MA is 9.1% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 11.3% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Acton, MA is 12.1% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 18.2% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Acton, MA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.08 $19.08
$20.82 $20.82
-8.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$98.8 $98.8
$100 $100
-1.57%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$13.35 $13.35
$11.97 $11.97
11.53%
Cappuccino
$4.62 $4.62
$5.56 $5.56
-16.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.8 $2.8
$3.11 $3.11
-9.97%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17 $2.17
$2.42 $2.42
-10.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.06 $6.06
$6.86 $6.86
-11.66%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.42 $7.42
$8.45 $8.45
-12.19%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Acton, MA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.21 $1.21
$1.04 $1.04
16.35%
White Bread (500g)
$3.3 $3.3
$4.15 $4.15
-20.48%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.17 $3.17
$5.52 $5.52
-42.57%
Eggs
$6.66 $6.66
$4.65 $4.65
43.23%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.79 $10.79
$14.33 $14.33
-24.70%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.45 $9.45
$14.88 $14.88
-36.49%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$21.39 $21.39
$19.34 $19.34
10.60%
Apples (1kg)
$5.3 $5.3
$5.17 $5.17
2.51%
Banana (1kg)
$2.17 $2.17
$1.71 $1.71
26.90%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.67 $5.67
$4.41 $4.41
28.57%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.74 $5.74
$4.51 $4.51
27.27%
Potato (1kg)
$4.36 $4.36
$2.53 $2.53
72.33%
Onion (1kg)
$4.35 $4.35
$2.74 $2.74
58.76%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.17 $3.17
$2.43 $2.43
30.45%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.23 $2.23
$2.7 $2.7
-17.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.8 $10.8
$15.19 $15.19
-28.90%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.82 $14.82
$16.42 $16.42
-9.74%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.14 $2.14
$2.35 $2.35
-8.94%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.49 $1.49
$3.7 $3.7
-59.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Acton, MA
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.05 $2.05
$2.53 $2.53
-18.97%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$74.1 $74.1
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.94 $3.94
$3.34 $3.34
17.96%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.76 $1.76
$1.42 $1.42
23.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.52 $29.52
$25.42 $25.42
16.13%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.85 $0.85
$1.08 $1.08
-21.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.8K $29.8K
$32.4K $32.4K
-8.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.8K $25.8K
$26.2K $26.2K
-1.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Acton, MA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$313 $313
$188 $188
66.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$69.1 $69.1
$63.7 $63.7
8.48%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.6 $64.6
$65.2 $65.2
-1.00%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Acton, MA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$24.65 $24.65
$76.7 $76.7
-67.87%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.84 $12.84
$14.93 $14.93
-14.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Acton, MA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,502 $1,502
$2,063 $2,063
-27.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.1K $23.1K
$39.2K $39.2K
-40.95%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Acton, MA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.7 $52.7
$64.3 $64.3
-18.04%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.4 $32.4
$52.4 $52.4
-38.16%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$65.7 $65.7
$95.2 $95.2
-31.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.5 $82.5
$145 $145
-42.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Acton, MA
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,528 $3,528
$2,378 $2,378
48.36%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,366 $1,366
$1,584 $1,584
-13.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,582 $2,582
$4,763 $4,763
-45.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$4,225 $4,225
$2,815 $2,815
50.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,749 $2,749
$3,588 $3,588
-23.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,598 $2,598
$2,490 $2,490
4.33%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Acton, MA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,259 $6,259
$5,275 $5,275
18.66%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.61
6.6
0.15%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Acton, MA: October 29, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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