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 $3,873 per month in Anaheim, CA vs $3,117 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,378 per month in Anaheim, CA vs $4,695 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,883 per month in Anaheim, CA vs $6,273 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Anaheim, CA costs about 24% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Anaheim, CA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Anaheim, CA by 183%, Chicago, IL by 128%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.10 $25.10

$19.92 $19.92

26.00%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$88.5 $88.5

11.01%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$15.21 $15.21

$12.94 $12.94

17.54%

Cappuccino

$5.81 $5.81

$5.54 $5.54

4.87%

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

$2.83 $2.83

$2.74 $2.74

3.28%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 $2.03

$2.36 $2.36

-13.98%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.16 $8.16

$7.12 $7.12

14.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.84 $8.84

$8.73 $8.73

1.26%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.23 $1.23

$1.34 $1.34

-8.21%

White Bread (500g)

$5.09 $5.09

$4.17 $4.17

22.06%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$5.73 $5.73

-20.42%

Eggs

$5.18 $5.18

$4.89 $4.89

5.93%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.31 $15.31

$14.77 $14.77

3.66%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$18.53 $18.53

$14.85 $14.85

24.78%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.84 $14.84

$19.61 $19.61

-24.32%

Apples (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$5.57 $5.57

0.72%

Banana (1kg)

$3.24 $3.24

$1.92 $1.92

68.75%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.10 $4.10

$4.17 $4.17

-1.68%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.51 $6.51

$4.86 $4.86

33.95%

Potato (1kg)

$3.52 $3.52

$2.84 $2.84

23.94%

Onion (1kg)

$3.61 $3.61

$2.80 $2.80

28.93%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.79 $2.79

$2.20 $2.20

26.82%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$3.06 $3.06

-25.49%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.64 $11.64

$16.16 $16.16

-27.97%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$14.82 $14.82

2.36%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.72 $1.72

$2.53 $2.53

-32.02%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.19 $3.19

$3.35 $3.35

-4.78%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$69.5 $69.5

$75.6 $75.6

-7.98%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.92 $2.92

$3.30 $3.30

-11.52%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.89 $1.89

$1.36 $1.36

38.97%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$36.23 $36.23

$25.12 $25.12

44.23%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 $1.46

$1.17 $1.17

24.79%

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

$37.2K $37.2K

$36.0K $36.0K

3.29%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$26.2K $26.2K

-0.45%

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

$211 $211

$191 $191

10.41%

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

$70.1 $70.1

$67.9 $67.9

3.19%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.7 $70.7

$61.7 $61.7

14.52%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$78.8 $78.8

$63.5 $63.5

24.11%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.08 $10.08

$27.14 $27.14

-62.86%

Cinema Ticket

$13.83 $13.83

$18.02 $18.02

-23.25%

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

$1,423 $1,423

$1,522 $1,522

-6.49%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$36.6K $36.6K

$31.3K $31.3K

17.07%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$75.0 $75.0

$63.7 $63.7

17.74%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.63 $40.63

$55.3 $55.3

-26.46%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$80.0 $80.0

$100 $100

-20.35%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$168 $168

$153 $153

9.70%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,206 $2,206

$2,406 $2,406

-8.32%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,211 $2,211

$1,653 $1,653

33.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,618 $3,618

$4,577 $4,577

-20.95%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,296 $3,296

$2,771 $2,771

18.92%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$7,078 $7,078

$4,031 $4,031

75.58%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,138 $7,138

$2,745 $2,745

160.00%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,756 $3,756

$4,804 $4,804

-21.81%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.15

6.38

-3.61%

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

Last update for Anaheim, CA: September 13, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,206 in Anaheim, CA versus $2,406 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 28% 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 $98.0 in Anaheim, CA versus $88.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $483 vs $464 – making Chicago, IL 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 24% more than Chicago, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,809 per month in Anaheim, CA and $4,676 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.

Groceries cost about 4% more in Anaheim, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Anaheim, CA and $88.0 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 $3,873 in Anaheim, CA and $3,117 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 $3,117 versus $3,873 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.