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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,112 per month in Auburn, CA vs $3,106 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,434 per month in Auburn, CA vs $4,599 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,756 per month in Auburn, CA vs $6,092 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Auburn, CA and Chicago, IL have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both Auburn, CA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Auburn, CA by 127%, Chicago, IL by 126%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.26 $25.26

$19.86 $19.86

27.19%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.6 $88.6

$88.3 $88.3

0.34%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.02 $12.02

$13.23 $13.23

-9.15%

Cappuccino

$4.78 $4.78

$5.86 $5.86

-18.43%

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

$2.54 $2.54

$2.61 $2.61

-2.68%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.19 $2.19

$2.32 $2.32

-5.60%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.11 $5.11

$7.03 $7.03

-27.31%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.90 $6.90

$9.25 $9.25

-25.41%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.26 $1.26

$1.34 $1.34

-5.97%

White Bread (500g)

$4.54 $4.54

$4.19 $4.19

8.35%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.98 $6.98

$5.50 $5.50

26.91%

Eggs

$3.27 $3.27

$4.71 $4.71

-30.57%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$22.42 $22.42

$14.72 $14.72

52.31%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.21 $16.21

$14.53 $14.53

11.56%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.72 $15.72

$19.69 $19.69

-20.16%

Apples (1kg)

$6.66 $6.66

$5.64 $5.64

18.09%

Banana (1kg)

$1.72 $1.72

$1.97 $1.97

-12.69%

Oranges (1kg)

$6.52 $6.52

$4.04 $4.04

61.39%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.00 $6.00

$5.07 $5.07

18.34%

Potato (1kg)

$5.13 $5.13

$2.94 $2.94

74.49%

Onion (1kg)

$3.10 $3.10

$2.92 $2.92

6.16%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.05 $2.05

$2.28 $2.28

-10.09%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.23 $2.23

$3.12 $3.12

-28.53%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.61 $11.61

$16.19 $16.19

-28.29%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.14 $12.14

$15.17 $15.17

-19.97%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.40 $1.40

$2.67 $2.67

-47.57%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.05 $2.05

$3.48 $3.48

-41.09%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.42 $3.42

$2.54 $2.54

34.65%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$89.6 $89.6

$76.0 $76.0

17.91%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.27 $3.27

$3.16 $3.16

3.48%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.37 $1.37

72.99%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$39.83 $39.83

$22.66 $22.66

75.77%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.25 $1.25

$1.20 $1.20

4.17%

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

$32.3K $32.3K

$37.0K $37.0K

-12.61%

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

$24.0K $24.0K

$26.0K $26.0K

-7.72%

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

$191 $191

$190 $190

0.58%

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

$50.6 $50.6

$68.5 $68.5

-26.08%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.6 $67.6

$61.1 $61.1

10.73%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$64.9 $64.9

$63.8 $63.8

1.76%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$15.03 $15.03

$18.28 $18.28

-17.78%

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

$2,817 $2,817

$1,525 $1,525

84.76%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,898 $5,898

$32.0K $32.0K

-81.57%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.7 $69.7

$64.0 $64.0

8.90%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.85 $45.85

$54.4 $54.4

-15.72%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$110 $110

$101 $101

8.99%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$153 $153

-6.12%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,834 $1,834

$2,421 $2,421

-24.27%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,591 $1,591

$1,690 $1,690

-5.88%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,799 $2,799

$4,584 $4,584

-38.94%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,311 $2,311

$2,782 $2,782

-16.95%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,265 $3,265

$4,170 $4,170

-21.70%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,711 $2,711

$2,739 $2,739

-1.01%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,975 $3,975

$4,777 $4,777

-16.80%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.1

6.38

-4.39%

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

Last update for Auburn, CA: August 31, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,834 in Auburn, CA versus $2,421 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 20% higher in Chicago, IL. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in Auburn, CA versus $88.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $486 vs $465 – 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

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

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,668 per month in Auburn, CA and $4,659 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 Auburn, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

Kindergarten costs $2,817 per month in Auburn, CA and $1,525 in Chicago, IL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,112 in Auburn, CA and $3,106 in Chicago, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,106 in Chicago, IL to $3,112 in Auburn, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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