Cost of Living Comparison Between Bowling Green, OH and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Bowling Green, OH and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,324 per month in Bowling Green, OH vs $3,111 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,391 per month in Bowling Green, OH vs $4,680 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,458 per month in Bowling Green, OH vs $6,249 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Bowling Green, OH is about 25% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Bowling Green, OH and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Bowling Green, OH by 73%, Chicago, IL by 131%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.22 $12.22

$20.39 $20.39

-40.07%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$44.17 $44.17

$98.2 $98.2

-55.04%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.17 $10.17

$12.07 $12.07

-15.74%

Cappuccino

$4.14 $4.14

$5.73 $5.73

-27.75%

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

$2.28 $2.28

$2.97 $2.97

-23.23%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.19 $2.19

$2.47 $2.47

-11.34%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.05 $4.05

$6.99 $6.99

-42.06%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.02 $4.02

$8.21 $8.21

-51.04%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.55 $0.55

$1.05 $1.05

-47.62%

White Bread (500g)

$2.14 $2.14

$4.08 $4.08

-47.55%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.04 $2.04

$5.50 $5.50

-62.91%

Eggs

$4.04 $4.04

$4.64 $4.64

-12.93%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.07 $9.07

$14.40 $14.40

-37.01%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.01 $6.01

$15.20 $15.20

-60.46%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.91 $19.91

$19.28 $19.28

3.27%

Apples (1kg)

$4.38 $4.38

$5.14 $5.14

-14.79%

Banana (1kg)

$1.11 $1.11

$1.76 $1.76

-36.93%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.29 $4.29

$4.34 $4.34

-1.15%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.36 $4.36

28.67%

Potato (1kg)

$3.71 $3.71

$2.44 $2.44

52.05%

Onion (1kg)

$4.33 $4.33

$2.79 $2.79

55.20%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.98 $1.98

$2.52 $2.52

-21.43%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.47 $1.47

$2.66 $2.66

-44.74%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.45 $8.45

$14.90 $14.90

-43.29%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.91 $14.91

$14.97 $14.97

-0.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 $1.76

$2.45 $2.45

-28.16%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.67 $3.67

$3.54 $3.54

3.67%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.99 $1.99

$2.43 $2.43

-18.11%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.98 $4.98

$3.32 $3.32

50.00%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.63 $1.63

$1.38 $1.38

18.12%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$49.82 $49.82

$25.11 $25.11

98.41%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.83 $0.83

$1.09 $1.09

-23.85%

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

$29.6K $29.6K

$31.9K $31.9K

-7.04%

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

$30.7K $30.7K

$26.8K $26.8K

14.38%

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

$129 $129

$187 $187

-31.05%

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

$56.6 $56.6

$63.5 $63.5

-10.75%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$40.99 $40.99

$65.5 $65.5

-37.41%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.30 $43.30

$75.7 $75.7

-42.79%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.05 $13.05

Cinema Ticket

$10.07 $10.07

$14.80 $14.80

-31.96%

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

$939 $939

$2,025 $2,025

-53.64%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.8K $23.8K

$39.0K $39.0K

-38.87%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.3 $51.3

$64.2 $64.2

-19.98%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$47.97 $47.97

$51.7 $51.7

-7.27%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.4 $96.4

$95.6 $95.6

0.87%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$102 $102

$145 $145

-29.92%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,632 $1,632

$2,326 $2,326

-29.84%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,369 $1,369

$1,611 $1,611

-15.00%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,682 $2,682

$4,703 $4,703

-42.97%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,184 $2,184

$2,721 $2,721

-19.74%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,829 $3,829

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,533 $2,533

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,455 $4,455

$5,100 $5,100

-12.64%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.61

6.6

0.15%

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

Last update for Bowling Green, OH: June 9, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,632 in Bowling Green, OH versus $2,326 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 14% higher in Chicago, IL, 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 $44.00 in Bowling Green, OH versus $98.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $333 vs $448 – making Bowling Green, OH 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

Bowling Green, OH vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,324 in Bowling Green, OH, $3,111 in Chicago, IL – roughly 34% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,486 per month in Bowling Green, OH and $4,666 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Bowling Green, OH, 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 $2,324 in Bowling Green, OH and $3,111 in Chicago, IL. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $939 per month in Bowling Green, OH and $2,025 in Chicago, IL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Bowling Green, OH, where all-in costs run around $2,324, than in Chicago, IL at $3,111. In Bowling Green, OH it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,324 in Bowling Green, OH to $3,111 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Bowling Green, OH. 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.