Cost of Living Comparison Between Bainbridge Island, WA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Bainbridge Island, WA and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,175 per month in Bainbridge Island, WA vs $3,084 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,010 per month in Bainbridge Island, WA vs $4,637 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,846 per month in Bainbridge Island, WA vs $6,191 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Bainbridge Island, WA costs about 3% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Bainbridge Island, WA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Bainbridge Island, WA by 138%, Chicago, IL by 131%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$22.19 $22.19

$20.81 $20.81

6.63%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$98.6 $98.6

-0.51%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.60 $12.60

$11.90 $11.90

5.88%

Cappuccino

$4.65 $4.65

$5.84 $5.84

-20.38%

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

$2.65 $2.65

$3.07 $3.07

-13.68%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.35 $2.35

0.43%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.83 $6.83

$6.87 $6.87

-0.58%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.15 $8.15

$8.07 $8.07

0.99%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.13 $1.13

$1.05 $1.05

7.62%

White Bread (500g)

$4.37 $4.37

$3.98 $3.98

9.80%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.86 $2.86

$5.60 $5.60

-48.93%

Eggs

$3.18 $3.18

$4.55 $4.55

-30.11%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.75 $14.75

$14.20 $14.20

3.87%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.43 $15.43

$14.90 $14.90

3.56%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.72 $14.72

$19.08 $19.08

-22.85%

Apples (1kg)

$4.99 $4.99

$5.31 $5.31

-6.03%

Banana (1kg)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.71 $1.71

28.65%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.38 $4.38

$4.24 $4.24

3.30%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.55 $3.55

$4.37 $4.37

-18.76%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$2.56 $2.56

14.06%

Onion (1kg)

$6.69 $6.69

$2.80 $2.80

138.93%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.61 $2.61

$2.47 $2.47

5.67%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.89 $2.89

$2.70 $2.70

7.04%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.67 $5.67

$14.95 $14.95

-62.07%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.17 $18.17

$14.73 $14.73

23.35%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.12 $2.12

$2.37 $2.37

-10.55%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.57 $3.57

15.13%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.46 $3.46

$2.44 $2.44

41.80%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$52.7 $52.7

$75.2 $75.2

-29.88%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.18 $4.18

$3.35 $3.35

24.78%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.24 $1.24

$1.37 $1.37

-9.49%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.25 $29.25

$25.29 $25.29

15.66%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

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

$30.7K $30.7K

$32.3K $32.3K

-5.04%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$26.4K $26.4K

-0.73%

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

$157 $157

$188 $188

-16.71%

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

$52.5 $52.5

$63.3 $63.3

-16.98%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.4 $70.4

$66.2 $66.2

6.40%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$71.3 $71.3

$75.6 $75.6

-5.60%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.20 $13.20

Cinema Ticket

$13.99 $13.99

$14.80 $14.80

-5.47%

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

$2,177 $2,177

$2,097 $2,097

3.84%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$30.1K $30.1K

$38.5K $38.5K

-21.77%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61.2 $61.2

$64.9 $64.9

-5.66%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.97 $36.97

$51.6 $51.6

-28.34%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.9 $96.9

$96.3 $96.3

0.72%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$112 $112

$146 $146

-23.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,364 $2,364

$2,332 $2,332

1.35%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,822 $1,822

$1,579 $1,579

15.43%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,725 $3,725

$4,775 $4,775

-21.98%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,506 $3,506

$2,725 $2,725

28.67%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,700 $2,700

$4,023 $4,023

-32.88%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,414 $2,414

$2,684 $2,684

-10.05%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,791 $4,791

$4,981 $4,981

-3.81%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

-9.09%

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

Last update for Bainbridge Island, WA: July 22, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,364 in Bainbridge Island, WA versus $2,332 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 4% 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 Bainbridge Island, WA versus $99.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $440 vs $445 – making Bainbridge Island, WA 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

Bainbridge Island, WA vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Bainbridge Island, WA costs about 3% more than Chicago, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,762 per month in Bainbridge Island, WA and $4,626 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.

Public transport costs about 43% less in Chicago, IL. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Kindergarten costs $2,177 per month in Bainbridge Island, WA and $2,097 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 $3,175 in Bainbridge Island, WA and $3,084 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 $3,084 in Chicago, IL to $3,175 in Bainbridge Island, WA. 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, Bainbridge Island, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.