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 $3,183 per month in Bainbridge Island, WA vs $3,051 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,911 per month in Bainbridge Island, WA vs $4,638 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,638 per month in Bainbridge Island, WA vs $6,224 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Bainbridge Island, WA costs about 4% 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 128%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$22.55 $22.55

$20.67 $20.67

9.10%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.4 $98.4

$100 $100

-2.09%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.44 $12.44

$11.86 $11.86

4.89%

Cappuccino

$4.73 $4.73

$5.54 $5.54

-14.62%

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

$2.52 $2.52

$3.06 $3.06

-17.65%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$2.48 $2.48

-4.44%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.02 $7.02

$6.92 $6.92

1.45%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.15 $8.15

$8.13 $8.13

0.25%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$1.04 $1.04

3.85%

White Bread (500g)

$4.34 $4.34

$3.91 $3.91

11.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$5.42 $5.42

-47.60%

Eggs

$3.18 $3.18

$4.48 $4.48

-29.02%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.66 $14.66

$14.52 $14.52

0.96%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.45 $15.45

$15.21 $15.21

1.58%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.71 $14.71

$19.25 $19.25

-23.58%

Apples (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$5.39 $5.39

-5.94%

Banana (1kg)

$2.23 $2.23

$1.69 $1.69

31.95%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

Tomato (1kg)

$3.66 $3.66

$4.51 $4.51

-18.85%

Potato (1kg)

$2.78 $2.78

$2.56 $2.56

8.59%

Onion (1kg)

$6.59 $6.59

$2.70 $2.70

144.07%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.69 $2.69

$2.41 $2.41

11.62%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.87 $2.87

$2.62 $2.62

9.54%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.44 $5.44

$15.02 $15.02

-63.78%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.61 $19.61

$14.71 $14.71

33.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.05 $2.05

$2.48 $2.48

-17.34%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.08 $4.08

$3.69 $3.69

10.57%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.41 $3.41

$2.55 $2.55

33.73%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$54.1 $54.1

$75.5 $75.5

-28.35%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.28 $4.28

$3.29 $3.29

30.09%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.25 $1.25

$1.43 $1.43

-12.59%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.36 $29.36

$24.72 $24.72

18.77%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.11 $1.11

$1.09 $1.09

1.83%

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

$29.8K $29.8K

$31.8K $31.8K

-6.13%

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

$25.6K $25.6K

$26.4K $26.4K

-3.22%

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

$155 $155

$183 $183

-15.43%

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

$52.1 $52.1

$61.8 $61.8

-15.75%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.9 $70.9

$65.0 $65.0

8.96%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$70.8 $70.8

$76.1 $76.1

-7.01%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.03 $14.03

$14.75 $14.75

-4.88%

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

$2,104 $2,104

$2,056 $2,056

2.31%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.8K $29.8K

$38.5K $38.5K

-22.58%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.6 $60.6

$63.9 $63.9

-5.22%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.42 $37.42

$51.6 $51.6

-27.47%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$99.1 $99.1

$97.3 $97.3

1.93%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$113 $113

$147 $147

-22.94%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,417 $2,417

$2,349 $2,349

2.88%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,773 $1,773

$1,581 $1,581

12.12%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,807 $3,807

$4,708 $4,708

-19.14%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,573 $3,573

$2,716 $2,716

31.56%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,655 $2,655

$3,976 $3,976

-33.22%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,333 $2,333

$2,632 $2,632

-11.35%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,868 $4,868

$4,723 $4,723

3.07%

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: April 21, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,417 in Bainbridge Island, WA versus $2,349 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 3% higher in Bainbridge Island, WA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98 in Bainbridge Island, WA versus $100 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $442 vs $447 – 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

Monthly costs with rent: $3,183 in Bainbridge Island, WA, $3,051 in Chicago, IL – roughly 4% apart. Bainbridge Island, WA costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,774 per month in Bainbridge Island, WA and $4,577 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 40% less in Chicago, IL. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Kindergarten costs $2,104 per month in Bainbridge Island, WA and $2,056 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 $3,183 in Bainbridge Island, WA and $3,051 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 $3,051 in Chicago, IL to $3,183 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.