Cost of Living Comparison Between Archbold, OH and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Archbold, OH and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,512 in Archbold, OH versus $3,051 in Chicago, IL.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,565 in Archbold, OH versus $4,638 in Chicago, IL.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,618 in Archbold, OH versus $6,224 in Chicago, IL.

Living in Archbold, OH costs roughly 18% less than in Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Archbold, OH 87% above, Chicago, IL 128% above.

Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Archbold, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.41 $17.41
$20.67 $20.67
-15.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.81 $29.81
$100 $100
-70.33%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.11 $10.11
$11.86 $11.86
-14.76%
Cappuccino
$4.86 $4.86
$5.54 $5.54
-12.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05 $2.05
$3.06 $3.06
-33.01%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86 $1.86
$2.48 $2.48
-25.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.87 $5.87
$6.92 $6.92
-15.17%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.81 $6.81
$8.13 $8.13
-16.24%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Archbold, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.88 $0.88
$1.04 $1.04
-15.38%
White Bread (500g)
$3.27 $3.27
$3.91 $3.91
-16.37%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.75 $5.75
$5.42 $5.42
6.09%
Eggs
$3.42 $3.42
$4.48 $4.48
-23.66%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.27 $12.27
$14.52 $14.52
-15.50%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.08 $5.08
$15.21 $15.21
-66.60%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.16 $20.16
$19.25 $19.25
4.73%
Apples (1kg)
$4.68 $4.68
$5.39 $5.39
-13.17%
Banana (1kg)
$0.80 $0.80
$1.69 $1.69
-52.66%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.84 $2.84
$4.32 $4.32
-34.26%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.80 $2.80
$4.51 $4.51
-37.92%
Potato (1kg)
$2.03 $2.03
$2.56 $2.56
-20.70%
Onion (1kg)
$2.45 $2.45
$2.70 $2.70
-9.26%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.01 $2.01
$2.41 $2.41
-16.60%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.05 $2.05
$2.62 $2.62
-21.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.94 $9.94
$15.02 $15.02
-33.82%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.08 $10.08
$14.71 $14.71
-31.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.01 $2.01
$2.48 $2.48
-18.95%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51 $2.51
$3.69 $3.69
-31.98%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Archbold, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.05 $2.05
$2.55 $2.55
-19.61%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$75.5 $75.5
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.43 $2.43
$3.29 $3.29
-26.14%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.43 $1.43
$1.43 $1.43
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$48.12 $48.12
$24.72 $24.72
94.66%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.88 $0.88
$1.09 $1.09
-19.27%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.6K $34.6K
$31.8K $31.8K
9.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.9K $24.9K
$26.4K $26.4K
-5.90%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Archbold, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$223 $223
$183 $183
21.84%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.4 $56.4
$61.8 $61.8
-8.80%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.7 $53.7
$65.0 $65.0
-17.40%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Archbold, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.83 $43.83
$76.1 $76.1
-42.39%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.04 $13.04
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.59 $7.59
$14.75 $14.75
-48.54%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Archbold, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,274 $1,274
$2,056 $2,056
-38.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$16.5K $16.5K
$38.5K $38.5K
-57.13%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Archbold, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.56 $40.56
$63.9 $63.9
-36.56%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.82 $30.82
$51.6 $51.6
-40.26%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$98.0 $98.0
$97.3 $97.3
0.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109 $109
$147 $147
-26.07%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Archbold, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,606 $1,606
$2,349 $2,349
-31.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,353 $1,353
$1,581 $1,581
-14.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,633 $2,633
$4,708 $4,708
-44.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,265 $2,265
$2,716 $2,716
-16.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,324 $2,324
$3,976 $3,976
-41.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,426 $2,426
$2,632 $2,632
-7.80%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Archbold, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,291 $3,291
$4,723 $4,723
-30.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.42
6.6
-2.73%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Archbold, OH: April 21, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,606 in Archbold, OH and $2,349 in Chicago, IL. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Chicago, IL pays 44% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $30 in Archbold, OH vs $100 in Chicago, IL for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $333 vs $447 per month, with Archbold, OH cheaper across the board.

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
Archbold, OH vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Archbold, OH or Chicago, IL?
Archbold, OH wins on cost โ€“ living expenses run 21% lower than in Chicago, IL. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Archbold, OH the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Archbold, OH or Chicago, IL?
On paper, Chicago, IL earns 44% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Archbold, OH vs Chicago, IL?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,606 in Archbold, OH versus $2,349 in Chicago, IL. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Archbold, OH or Chicago, IL?
Supermarket bills run roughly 34% higher in Chicago, IL. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Archbold, OH compared to Chicago, IL?
All in, you'll spend $2,512 per month in Archbold, OH versus $3,051 in Chicago, IL โ€“ a 21% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Archbold, OH or Chicago, IL?
Both cities are expensive relative to $2,000. Archbold, OH is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Archbold, OH or Chicago, IL?
Both work as nomad bases, but Archbold, OH delivers better value โ€“ similar infrastructure at $2,512 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Archbold, OH hard to pass up.
How safe is Archbold, OH compared to Chicago, IL?
Safety-wise, Archbold, OH and Chicago, IL are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Archbold, OH gentler on the wallet โ€“ expenses run 21% less than in Chicago, IL. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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