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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,389 per month in Anaheim, CA vs $3,111 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,882 per month in Anaheim, CA vs $4,680 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,374 per month in Anaheim, CA vs $6,249 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Anaheim, CA costs about 9% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Anaheim, CA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Anaheim, CA by 152%, Chicago, IL by 131%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.66 $19.66

$20.39 $20.39

-3.58%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$81.1 $81.1

$98.2 $98.2

-17.44%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$15.11 $15.11

$12.07 $12.07

25.19%

Cappuccino

$5.11 $5.11

$5.73 $5.73

-10.82%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.97 $2.97

-10.10%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 $2.03

$2.47 $2.47

-17.81%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.08 $7.08

$6.99 $6.99

1.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.94 $7.94

$8.21 $8.21

-3.29%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.16 $1.16

$1.05 $1.05

10.48%

White Bread (500g)

$4.06 $4.06

$4.08 $4.08

-0.49%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.76 $4.76

$5.50 $5.50

-13.45%

Eggs

$5.92 $5.92

$4.64 $4.64

27.59%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.41 $12.41

$14.40 $14.40

-13.82%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.85 $10.85

$15.20 $15.20

-28.62%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.69 $14.69

$19.28 $19.28

-23.81%

Apples (1kg)

$4.40 $4.40

$5.14 $5.14

-14.40%

Banana (1kg)

$1.90 $1.90

$1.76 $1.76

7.95%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$4.34 $4.34

-6.91%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.62 $5.62

$4.36 $4.36

28.90%

Potato (1kg)

$3.14 $3.14

$2.44 $2.44

28.69%

Onion (1kg)

$2.87 $2.87

$2.79 $2.79

2.87%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.09 $2.09

$2.52 $2.52

-17.06%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.17 $2.17

$2.66 $2.66

-18.42%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.84 $10.84

$14.90 $14.90

-27.25%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.95 $14.95

$14.97 $14.97

-0.13%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.92 $1.92

$2.45 $2.45

-21.63%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$3.54 $3.54

-1.69%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.04 $2.04

$2.43 $2.43

-16.05%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$68.0 $68.0

$74.5 $74.5

-8.71%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.71 $3.71

$3.32 $3.32

11.75%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.77 $2.77

$1.38 $1.38

100.72%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.89 $28.89

$25.11 $25.11

15.05%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 $1.29

$1.09 $1.09

18.35%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$23.5K $23.5K

$31.9K $31.9K

-26.29%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$24.3K $24.3K

$26.8K $26.8K

-9.52%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$159 $159

$187 $187

-15.11%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$53.9 $53.9

$63.5 $63.5

-15.11%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.9 $60.9

$65.5 $65.5

-7.07%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$80.7 $80.7

$75.7 $75.7

6.63%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.07 $10.07

$13.05 $13.05

-22.84%

Cinema Ticket

$15.22 $15.22

$14.80 $14.80

2.84%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,185 $1,185

$2,025 $2,025

-41.49%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.6K $23.6K

$39.0K $39.0K

-39.45%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.78 $47.78

$64.2 $64.2

-25.52%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.77 $34.77

$51.7 $51.7

-32.79%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 $102

$95.6 $95.6

7.02%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$104 $104

$145 $145

-28.49%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,167 $2,167

$2,326 $2,326

-6.86%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,969 $1,969

$1,611 $1,611

22.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,360 $3,360

$4,703 $4,703

-28.56%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,354 $3,354

$2,721 $2,721

23.26%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,214 $7,214

$3,829 $3,829

88.41%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,271 $7,271

$2,533 $2,533

187.06%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,899 $3,899

$5,100 $5,100

-23.55%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.58

6.6

-0.30%

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

Last update for Anaheim, CA: June 7, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,167 in Anaheim, CA versus $2,326 in Chicago, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 31% higher in Chicago, IL, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $81.0 in Anaheim, CA versus $98.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $404 vs $448 – making Anaheim, CA the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

Anaheim, CA vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Anaheim, CA costs about 9% more than Chicago, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,083 per month in Anaheim, CA and $4,666 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Chicago, IL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 11% cheaper in Anaheim, CA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $81.0 in Anaheim, CA and $98.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,389 in Anaheim, CA and $3,111 in Chicago, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chicago, IL costs $3,111 versus $3,389 in Anaheim, CA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Anaheim, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.