Cost of Living Comparison Between Canton, OH and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Canton, OH and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,589 in Canton, OH versus $3,009 in Chicago, IL.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,555 in Canton, OH versus $4,593 in Chicago, IL.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,522 in Canton, OH versus $6,177 in Chicago, IL.

Living in Canton, OH costs roughly 47% less than in Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Canton, OH 19% above, Chicago, IL 125% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Canton, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.29 $15.29
$20.35 $20.35
-24.86%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.1 $74.1
$102 $102
-27.15%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.15 $11.15
$11.98 $11.98
-6.93%
Cappuccino
$4.10 $4.10
$5.70 $5.70
-28.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07 $2.07
$3.00 $3.00
-31.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01 $2.01
$2.46 $2.46
-18.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.44 $3.44
$6.87 $6.87
-49.93%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.05 $3.05
$8.09 $8.09
-62.30%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Canton, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.85 $0.85
$1.03 $1.03
-17.48%
White Bread (500g)
$3.07 $3.07
$3.95 $3.95
-22.28%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.19 $4.19
$5.42 $5.42
-22.69%
Eggs
$3.21 $3.21
$4.50 $4.50
-28.67%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.98 $12.98
$14.53 $14.53
-10.67%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.84 $13.84
$14.89 $14.89
-7.05%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.22 $16.22
$18.98 $18.98
-14.54%
Apples (1kg)
$5.35 $5.35
$5.39 $5.39
-0.74%
Banana (1kg)
$1.12 $1.12
$1.77 $1.77
-36.72%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.25 $3.25
$4.35 $4.35
-25.29%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.20 $5.20
$4.53 $4.53
14.79%
Potato (1kg)
$2.34 $2.34
$2.53 $2.53
-7.51%
Onion (1kg)
$3.04 $3.04
$2.81 $2.81
8.19%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.15 $2.15
$2.51 $2.51
-14.34%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.98 $0.98
$2.67 $2.67
-63.30%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.84 $7.84
$14.88 $14.88
-47.31%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.18 $11.18
$15.22 $15.22
-26.54%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.99 $1.99
$2.46 $2.46
-19.11%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.55 $2.55
$3.53 $3.53
-27.76%
🚌 Getting Around
Canton, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.17 $2.17
$2.56 $2.56
-15.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$39.28 $39.28
$74.3 $74.3
-47.13%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.97 $2.97
$3.19 $3.19
-6.90%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.59 $1.59
$1.41 $1.41
12.77%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$26.99 $26.99
$25.49 $25.49
5.88%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.85 $0.85
$1.04 $1.04
-18.27%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.6K $29.6K
$32.2K $32.2K
-8.16%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.4K $25.4K
$26.8K $26.8K
-5.03%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Canton, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$211 $211
$184 $184
14.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.4 $57.4
$63.1 $63.1
-9.08%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$55.8 $55.8
$66.4 $66.4
-15.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Canton, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$25.40 $25.40
$75.9 $75.9
-66.54%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.06 $13.06
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.04 $7.04
$15.25 $15.25
-53.84%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Canton, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$199 $199
$2,090 $2,090
-90.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.1K $15.1K
$39.2K $39.2K
-61.43%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Canton, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.92 $41.92
$64.2 $64.2
-34.70%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.79 $38.79
$51.0 $51.0
-23.94%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$81.3 $81.3
$97.2 $97.2
-16.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$94.9 $94.9
$149 $149
-36.11%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Canton, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$378 $378
$2,341 $2,341
-83.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$454 $454
$1,572 $1,572
-71.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$814 $814
$4,741 $4,741
-82.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,002 $1,002
$2,819 $2,819
-64.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,510 $1,510
$3,900 $3,900
-61.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,483 $1,483
$2,638 $2,638
-43.78%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Canton, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,914 $2,914
$4,769 $4,769
-38.90%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
6.6
-1.36%

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

Last update for Canton, OH: April 26, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $378 in Canton, OH and $2,341 in Chicago, IL. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Chicago, IL pays 64% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $74.0 in Canton, OH vs $102 in Chicago, IL for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $369 vs $447 per month, with Canton, OH cheaper across the board.

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
Canton, OH vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Canton, OH or Chicago, IL?
Canton, OH wins on cost – living expenses run 89% lower than in Chicago, IL. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Canton, OH the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Canton, OH or Chicago, IL?
On paper, Chicago, IL earns 64% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Canton, OH vs Chicago, IL?
Rent for a central apartment: $378 in Canton, OH versus $2,341 in Chicago, IL. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Canton, OH and Chicago, IL?
Childcare runs $199 in Canton, OH versus $2,090 in Chicago, IL. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Are groceries more expensive in Canton, OH or Chicago, IL?
Supermarket bills run roughly 21% higher in Chicago, IL. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Canton, OH or Chicago, IL?
At $1,589 in Canton, OH versus $3,009 in Chicago, IL, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Canton, OH but tight or insufficient in Chicago, IL. The gap between the two cities makes Canton, OH the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Canton, OH or Chicago, IL?
Both work as nomad bases, but Canton, OH delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,589 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Canton, OH hard to pass up.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Canton, OH gentler on the wallet – expenses run 89% less than in Chicago, IL. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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