Cost of Living Comparison Between Broomfield, CO and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Broomfield, CO and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,271 per month in Broomfield, CO vs $3,117 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,510 per month in Broomfield, CO vs $4,695 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,750 per month in Broomfield, CO vs $6,273 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Broomfield, CO costs about 5% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Broomfield, CO and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Broomfield, CO by 139%, Chicago, IL by 128%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.11 $20.11

$19.92 $19.92

0.95%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$87.3 $87.3

$88.5 $88.5

-1.34%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.81 $11.81

$12.94 $12.94

-8.73%

Cappuccino

$6.06 $6.06

$5.54 $5.54

9.39%

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

$2.70 $2.70

$2.74 $2.74

-1.46%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.23 $2.23

$2.36 $2.36

-5.51%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$7.12 $7.12

-3.51%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.00 $7.00

$8.73 $8.73

-19.82%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.16 $1.16

$1.34 $1.34

-13.43%

White Bread (500g)

$5.33 $5.33

$4.17 $4.17

27.82%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$7.02 $7.02

$5.73 $5.73

22.51%

Eggs

$5.24 $5.24

$4.89 $4.89

7.16%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.08 $16.08

$14.77 $14.77

8.87%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.71 $13.71

$14.85 $14.85

-7.68%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.96 $17.96

$19.61 $19.61

-8.41%

Apples (1kg)

$5.36 $5.36

$5.57 $5.57

-3.77%

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 $1.46

$1.92 $1.92

-23.96%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.17 $4.17

9.35%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.61 $4.61

$4.86 $4.86

-5.14%

Potato (1kg)

$2.58 $2.58

$2.84 $2.84

-9.15%

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$2.80 $2.80

-1.07%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.24 $2.24

$2.20 $2.20

1.82%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.44 $2.44

$3.06 $3.06

-20.26%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.51 $10.51

$16.16 $16.16

-34.96%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.87 $18.87

$14.82 $14.82

27.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.78 $2.78

$2.53 $2.53

9.88%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.54 $4.54

$3.35 $3.35

35.52%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.45 $3.45

$2.55 $2.55

35.29%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.52 $3.52

$3.30 $3.30

6.67%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.36 $1.36

5.15%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.19 $25.19

$25.12 $25.12

0.28%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$1.17 $1.17

-9.40%

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

$30.3K $30.3K

$36.0K $36.0K

-15.94%

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

$24.9K $24.9K

$26.2K $26.2K

-4.94%

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

$176 $176

$191 $191

-8.14%

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

$75.2 $75.2

$67.9 $67.9

10.69%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$68.0 $68.0

$61.7 $61.7

10.16%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.33 $25.33

$63.5 $63.5

-60.09%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$14.74 $14.74

$18.02 $18.02

-18.20%

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

$1,643 $1,643

$1,522 $1,522

7.98%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$24.1K $24.1K

$31.3K $31.3K

-22.89%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.3 $66.3

$63.7 $63.7

4.08%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.58 $35.58

$55.3 $55.3

-35.60%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$106 $106

$100 $100

5.12%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$103 $103

$153 $153

-32.65%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,303 $2,303

$2,406 $2,406

-4.30%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,927 $1,927

$1,653 $1,653

16.62%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,162 $3,162

$4,577 $4,577

-30.90%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,777 $2,777

$2,771 $2,771

0.20%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,841 $4,841

$4,031 $4,031

20.08%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,721 $3,721

$2,745 $2,745

35.53%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,523 $5,523

$4,804 $4,804

14.96%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.14

6.38

-3.76%

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

Last update for Broomfield, CO: September 12, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,303 in Broomfield, CO versus $2,406 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 15% higher in Broomfield, CO, 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 $87.0 in Broomfield, CO versus $88.0 in Chicago, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $474 in Broomfield, CO vs $464 in Chicago, IL – so Chicago, IL wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $3,271 in Broomfield, CO, $3,117 in Chicago, IL – roughly 5% apart. Broomfield, CO costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,906 per month in Broomfield, CO and $4,676 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.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,271 in Broomfield, CO and $3,117 in Chicago, IL. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,643 per month in Broomfield, CO and $1,522 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 $3,271 in Broomfield, CO and $3,117 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 $3,117 in Chicago, IL to $3,271 in Broomfield, CO. 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, Broomfield, CO makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.