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

🙂 Solo nomad: Athens, OH is 37.3% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 46.9% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Athens, OH is 46.5% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 31% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Athens, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.92 $14.92
$20.82 $20.82
-28.34%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$59.1 $59.1
$100 $100
-41.11%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.24 $8.24
$11.97 $11.97
-31.16%
Cappuccino
$4.39 $4.39
$5.56 $5.56
-21.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12 $2.12
$3.11 $3.11
-31.83%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46 $1.46
$2.42 $2.42
-39.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.12 $5.12
$6.86 $6.86
-25.36%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.89 $6.89
$8.45 $8.45
-18.46%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Athens, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.69 $0.69
$1.04 $1.04
-33.65%
White Bread (500g)
$2.08 $2.08
$4.15 $4.15
-49.88%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.91 $2.91
$5.52 $5.52
-47.28%
Eggs
$3.21 $3.21
$4.65 $4.65
-30.97%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.39 $10.39
$14.33 $14.33
-27.49%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.81 $8.81
$14.88 $14.88
-40.79%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.19 $15.19
$19.34 $19.34
-21.46%
Apples (1kg)
$3.59 $3.59
$5.17 $5.17
-30.56%
Banana (1kg)
$0.96 $0.96
$1.71 $1.71
-43.86%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.79 $2.79
$4.41 $4.41
-36.73%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.03 $3.03
$4.51 $4.51
-32.82%
Potato (1kg)
$1.6 $1.6
$2.53 $2.53
-36.76%
Onion (1kg)
$2.12 $2.12
$2.74 $2.74
-22.63%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.7 $1.7
$2.43 $2.43
-30.04%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.45 $1.45
$2.7 $2.7
-46.30%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.13 $9.13
$15.19 $15.19
-39.89%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.61 $13.61
$16.42 $16.42
-17.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.02 $2.02
$2.35 $2.35
-14.04%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.83 $1.83
$3.7 $3.7
-50.54%
🚌 Getting Around
Athens, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.02 $1.02
$2.53 $2.53
-59.68%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$74.1 $74.1
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.7 $3.7
$3.34 $3.34
10.78%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.22 $1.22
$1.42 $1.42
-14.08%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.11 $25.11
$25.42 $25.42
-1.22%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.81 $0.81
$1.08 $1.08
-25.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.5K $35.5K
$32.4K $32.4K
9.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.7K $24.7K
$26.2K $26.2K
-5.77%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Athens, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$118 $118
$188 $188
-37.34%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.67 $29.67
$63.7 $63.7
-53.42%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$47.35 $47.35
$65.2 $65.2
-27.38%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Athens, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.49 $43.49
$76.7 $76.7
-43.31%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.73 $9.73
$14.93 $14.93
-34.83%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Athens, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,554 $1,554
$2,063 $2,063
-24.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$17.3K $17.3K
$39.2K $39.2K
-55.76%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Athens, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.92 $40.92
$64.3 $64.3
-36.37%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.44 $40.44
$52.4 $52.4
-22.81%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$64.2 $64.2
$95.2 $95.2
-32.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$103 $103
$145 $145
-28.85%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Athens, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,706 $1,706
$2,378 $2,378
-28.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$664 $664
$1,584 $1,584
-58.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,591 $2,591
$4,763 $4,763
-45.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,228 $2,228
$2,815 $2,815
-20.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,666 $1,666
$3,588 $3,588
-53.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,642 $1,642
$2,490 $2,490
-34.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Athens, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,398 $3,398
$5,275 $5,275
-35.58%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.54
6.6
-0.91%

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

Last update for Athens, OH: October 29, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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