Cost of Living Comparison Between Bolingbrook, IL and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Bolingbrook, IL and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,476 per month in Bolingbrook, IL vs $3,077 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,600 per month in Bolingbrook, IL vs $4,628 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,724 per month in Bolingbrook, IL vs $6,179 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Bolingbrook, IL is about 20% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Bolingbrook, IL and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Bolingbrook, IL by 85%, Chicago, IL by 130%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$15.06 $15.06

$20.91 $20.91

-27.98%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$74.2 $74.2

$98.1 $98.1

-24.37%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.90 $10.90

$11.86 $11.86

-8.09%

Cappuccino

$5.24 $5.24

$5.60 $5.60

-6.43%

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

$2.67 $2.67

$3.07 $3.07

-13.03%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$2.47 $2.47

-4.05%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.04 $6.04

$7.14 $7.14

-15.41%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.19 $7.19

$8.08 $8.08

-11.01%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.87 $0.87

$1.05 $1.05

-17.14%

White Bread (500g)

$3.72 $3.72

$4.11 $4.11

-9.49%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.27 $3.27

$5.61 $5.61

-41.71%

Eggs

$3.94 $3.94

$4.51 $4.51

-12.64%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.14 $13.14

$14.27 $14.27

-7.92%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.49 $11.49

$14.89 $14.89

-22.83%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.55 $11.55

$19.19 $19.19

-39.81%

Apples (1kg)

$4.49 $4.49

$5.14 $5.14

-12.65%

Banana (1kg)

$1.55 $1.55

$1.77 $1.77

-12.43%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.94 $2.94

$4.39 $4.39

-33.03%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.60 $3.60

$4.56 $4.56

-21.05%

Potato (1kg)

$1.30 $1.30

$2.54 $2.54

-48.82%

Onion (1kg)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.75 $2.75

-10.55%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.62 $1.62

$2.42 $2.42

-33.06%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.98 $1.98

$2.62 $2.62

-24.43%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.08 $10.08

$14.92 $14.92

-32.44%

Wine (Bottle)

$8.05 $8.05

$14.80 $14.80

-45.61%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 $1.69

$2.46 $2.46

-31.30%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.73 $4.73

$3.73 $3.73

26.81%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.95 $1.95

$2.48 $2.48

-21.37%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.55 $4.55

$3.18 $3.18

43.08%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.42 $1.42

19.01%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$42.28 $42.28

$24.94 $24.94

69.53%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.97 $0.97

$1.06 $1.06

-8.49%

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

$24.9K $24.9K

$31.9K $31.9K

-21.93%

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

$25.8K $25.8K

$26.0K $26.0K

-0.93%

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

$174 $174

$185 $185

-5.80%

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

$50.1 $50.1

$61.7 $61.7

-18.89%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$74.5 $74.5

$66.9 $66.9

11.28%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.44 $42.44

$75.2 $75.2

-43.54%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$10.82 $10.82

$14.71 $14.71

-26.44%

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

$1,373 $1,373

$2,020 $2,020

-32.04%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.7K $24.7K

$39.4K $39.4K

-37.24%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$44.89 $44.89

$64.6 $64.6

-30.52%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.95 $47.95

$52.5 $52.5

-8.58%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$66.8 $66.8

$97.8 $97.8

-31.73%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$130 $130

$148 $148

-11.76%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,631 $1,631

$2,313 $2,313

-29.47%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,374 $1,374

$1,590 $1,590

-13.59%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,577 $2,577

$4,608 $4,608

-44.07%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,254 $2,254

$2,779 $2,779

-18.88%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,889 $2,889

$3,922 $3,922

-26.33%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,457 $2,457

$2,613 $2,613

-5.94%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,611 $5,611

$5,217 $5,217

7.54%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.52

6.6

-1.21%

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

Last update for Bolingbrook, IL: May 31, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,631 in Bolingbrook, IL versus $2,313 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 8% higher in Bolingbrook, 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 $74.0 in Bolingbrook, IL versus $98.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $341 vs $447 – making Bolingbrook, 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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $2,476 in Bolingbrook, IL, $3,077 in Chicago, IL – roughly 24% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,713 per month in Bolingbrook, IL and $4,616 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Bolingbrook, IL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,476 in Bolingbrook, IL and $3,077 in Chicago, IL. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,373 per month in Bolingbrook, IL and $2,020 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 $2,476 in Bolingbrook, IL and $3,077 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 $2,476 in Bolingbrook, IL to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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