Cost of Living Comparison Between Augusta, ME and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Augusta, ME and Chicago, IL

🙂 Solo nomad: Augusta, ME is 27.1% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 27.3% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Augusta, ME is 16.2% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 32.2% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Augusta, ME
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.27 $20.27
$20.82 $20.82
-2.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.9 $75.9
$100 $100
-24.36%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.47 $7.47
$11.97 $11.97
-37.59%
Cappuccino
$4.95 $4.95
$5.56 $5.56
-10.97%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.3 $2.3
$3.11 $3.11
-26.05%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.93 $1.93
$2.42 $2.42
-20.25%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.02 $5.02
$6.86 $6.86
-26.82%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.04 $6.04
$8.45 $8.45
-28.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Augusta, ME
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.15 $1.15
$1.04 $1.04
10.58%
White Bread (500g)
$3.41 $3.41
$4.15 $4.15
-17.83%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.75 $1.75
$5.52 $5.52
-68.30%
Eggs
$3.78 $3.78
$4.65 $4.65
-18.71%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.14 $17.14
$14.33 $14.33
19.61%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.95 $11.95
$14.88 $14.88
-19.69%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.48 $18.48
$19.34 $19.34
-4.45%
Apples (1kg)
$4.45 $4.45
$5.17 $5.17
-13.93%
Banana (1kg)
$1.27 $1.27
$1.71 $1.71
-25.73%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.04 $3.04
$4.41 $4.41
-31.07%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.47 $6.47
$4.51 $4.51
43.46%
Potato (1kg)
$2.2 $2.2
$2.53 $2.53
-13.04%
Onion (1kg)
$3.34 $3.34
$2.74 $2.74
21.90%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.84 $2.84
$2.43 $2.43
16.87%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.49 $1.49
$2.7 $2.7
-44.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.16 $9.16
$15.19 $15.19
-39.70%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.92 $14.92
$16.42 $16.42
-9.14%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.8 $2.8
$2.35 $2.35
19.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95 $1.95
$3.7 $3.7
-47.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Augusta, ME
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.98 $1.98
$2.53 $2.53
-21.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$74.1 $74.1
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.62 $2.62
$3.34 $3.34
-21.56%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.26 $1.26
$1.42 $1.42
-11.27%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$27.79 $27.79
$25.42 $25.42
9.32%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.92 $0.92
$1.08 $1.08
-14.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.7K $29.7K
$32.4K $32.4K
-8.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.7K $24.7K
$26.2K $26.2K
-5.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Augusta, ME
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$192 $192
$188 $188
2.13%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.8 $57.8
$63.7 $63.7
-9.20%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$77 $77
$65.2 $65.2
18.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Augusta, ME
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$30.11 $30.11
$76.7 $76.7
-60.75%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.25 $13.25
$14.93 $14.93
-11.25%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Augusta, ME
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,785 $2,785
$2,063 $2,063
35.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$27.8K $27.8K
$39.2K $39.2K
-29.17%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Augusta, ME
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.2 $66.2
$64.3 $64.3
2.86%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.18 $44.18
$52.4 $52.4
-15.67%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$85.8 $85.8
$95.2 $95.2
-9.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$147 $147
$145 $145
1.47%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Augusta, ME
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,045 $1,045
$2,378 $2,378
-56.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$947 $947
$1,584 $1,584
-40.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,601 $1,601
$4,763 $4,763
-66.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,480 $1,480
$2,815 $2,815
-47.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,222 $2,222
$3,588 $3,588
-38.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,115 $2,115
$2,490 $2,490
-15.07%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Augusta, ME
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,002 $2,002
$5,275 $5,275
-62.05%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.43
6.6
-2.58%

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

Last update for Augusta, ME: October 29, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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