Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Adelanto, CA and Chicago, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in Adelanto, CA: $2,524 a month against $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $6,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Adelanto, CA, United States
Chicago, IL, United States
Adelanto, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,524
/mo nomad
Chicago, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$3,037
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Adelanto, CA and in Chicago, IL

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Adelanto, CA and in Chicago, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,524 in Adelanto, CA versus $3,037 in Chicago, IL.

  • Adelanto, CA $2,524
  • Chicago, IL $3,037

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,674 in Adelanto, CA versus $4,518 in Chicago, IL.

  • Adelanto, CA $3,674
  • Chicago, IL $4,518

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,824 in Adelanto, CA versus $5,999 in Chicago, IL.

  • Adelanto, CA $4,824
  • Chicago, IL $5,999

Living in Adelanto, CA costs roughly 17% less than in Chicago, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Adelanto, CA 85% above, Chicago, IL 123% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Adelanto, CA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.83 $19.83
$20.71 $20.71
-4.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.46 $49.46
$89.2 $89.2
-44.57%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$14.97 $14.97
$13.19 $13.19
13.50%
Cappuccino
$5.88 $5.88
$5.66 $5.66
3.89%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98 $1.98
$2.64 $2.64
-25.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.03 $1.03
$2.28 $2.28
-54.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.68 $7.68
$6.87 $6.87
11.79%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.95 $6.95
$8.84 $8.84
-21.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Adelanto, CA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$1.25 $1.25
-16.80%
White Bread (500g)
$2.30 $2.30
$3.72 $3.72
-38.17%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.32 $2.32
$5.39 $5.39
-56.96%
Eggs
$3.45 $3.45
$4.74 $4.74
-27.22%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.03 $13.03
$13.84 $13.84
-5.85%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.69 $6.69
$14.40 $14.40
-53.54%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.62 $15.62
$18.38 $18.38
-15.02%
Apples (1kg)
$4.85 $4.85
$5.22 $5.22
-7.09%
Banana (1kg)
$1.72 $1.72
$1.98 $1.98
-13.13%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.83 $2.83
$4.06 $4.06
-30.30%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.91 $3.91
$4.97 $4.97
-21.33%
Potato (1kg)
$1.99 $1.99
$2.67 $2.67
-25.47%
Onion (1kg)
$2.24 $2.24
$2.66 $2.66
-15.79%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.87 $1.87
$2.24 $2.24
-16.52%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.89 $1.89
$3.13 $3.13
-39.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.74 $11.74
$13.82 $13.82
-15.05%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.84 $14.84
$14.88 $14.88
-0.27%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.02 $2.02
$2.54 $2.54
-20.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.14 $4.14
$3.51 $3.51
17.95%
🚌 Getting Around
Adelanto, CA
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.80 $1.80
$2.43 $2.43
-25.93%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$63.2 $63.2
$73.5 $73.5
-14.09%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$6.12 $6.12
$3.18 $3.18
92.45%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.72 $1.72
$1.39 $1.39
23.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$33.64 $33.64
$25.03 $25.03
34.40%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.58 $1.58
$1.20 $1.20
31.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.1K $29.1K
$35.0K $35.0K
-16.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8K $26.8K
$26.7K $26.7K
0.39%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Adelanto, CA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$165 $165
$194 $194
-15.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$66.7 $66.7
$69.5 $69.5
-3.92%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$59.7 $59.7
$61.6 $61.6
-3.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Adelanto, CA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.02 $42.02
$47.90 $47.90
-12.28%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$27.34 $27.34
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.30 $15.30
$17.81 $17.81
-14.09%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Adelanto, CA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,872 $1,872
$1,794 $1,794
4.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$23.5K $23.5K
$31.9K $31.9K
-26.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Adelanto, CA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.7 $56.7
$67.0 $67.0
-15.38%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.30 $39.30
$52.1 $52.1
-24.63%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$92.7 $92.7
$102 $102
-8.66%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$142 $142
$144 $144
-1.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Adelanto, CA
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,550 $1,550
$2,526 $2,526
-38.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,257 $1,257
$1,578 $1,578
-20.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,527 $2,527
$4,738 $4,738
-46.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,134 $2,134
$2,693 $2,693
-20.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,889 $2,889
$4,190 $4,190
-31.04%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,255 $2,255
$2,768 $2,768
-18.55%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Adelanto, CA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$7,611 $7,611
$4,931 $4,931
54.36%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.39
6.81
-6.17%

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

Last update for Adelanto, CA: October 25, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Adelanto, CA
$1.3K
Chicago, IL
$1.6K 25.5% $321
Eating Out
Adelanto, CA
$338
Chicago, IL
$345 1.9% $6.5
Groceries & Markets
Adelanto, CA
$330
Chicago, IL
$447 35.5% $117
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Adelanto, CA
$292
Chicago, IL
$326 11.6% $34
Clothing & Footwear
Adelanto, CA
$149
Chicago, IL
$164 10.1% $15
Getting Around
Adelanto, CA
$85
Chicago, IL
$93 9.8% $8.3
Sport & Entertainment
Adelanto, CA
$73
Chicago, IL
$84 15% $11

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,550 in Adelanto, CA and $2,526 in Chicago, IL. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Adelanto, CA pays 54% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $49 in Adelanto, CA vs $89 in Chicago, IL for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $330 vs $447 per month, with Adelanto, CA cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Adelanto, CA
🇺🇸 Chicago, IL
🕒 Local time
13:33 1:33 PM
15:33 3:33 PM
2 h ahead of Adelanto, CA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
38,644
2,746,388
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.11 USD (1 USD = 0.898 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Adelanto, CA Chicago, IL 2,710 km ≈ 4 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Adelanto, CA
  • Chicago, IL

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Adelanto, CA vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Adelanto, CA cheaper than Chicago, IL?
Adelanto, CA is about 17% cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and leisure. That difference adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Adelanto, CA or Chicago, IL?
Average pay runs 54% higher in Adelanto, CA, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Adelanto, CA and Chicago, IL?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,550 in Adelanto, CA versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Adelanto, CA or in Chicago, IL?
Dining out is cheaper in Adelanto, CA – a meal for two runs $49 versus $89 in Chicago, IL. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Adelanto, CA and in Chicago, IL?
All in, you’ll spend $2,524 per month in Adelanto, CA versus $3,037 in Chicago, IL – Adelanto, CA is about 17% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.
Is $2,500 enough to cover costs in Adelanto, CA or in Chicago, IL?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,500. Adelanto, CA is the more realistic option, but even there you’ll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Is it better to live in Adelanto, CA or in Chicago, IL?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Adelanto, CA gentler on the wallet – expenses run 17% less than in Chicago, IL. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Adelanto, CA vs other spots: cost of living compared

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