🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,995 in Canton, OH versus $3,117 in Chicago, IL.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,975 in Canton, OH versus $4,695 in Chicago, IL.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,954 in Canton, OH versus $6,273 in Chicago, IL.
🌍Living in Canton, OH costs roughly 36% less than in Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Canton, OH46% above, Chicago, IL128% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Canton, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.46$14.46
$19.92$19.92
-27.41%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$54.4$54.4
$88.5$88.5
-38.49%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.85$9.85
$12.94$12.94
-23.88%
Cappuccino
$4.23$4.23
$5.54$5.54
-23.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22$2.22
$2.74$2.74
-18.98%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.86$1.86
$2.36$2.36
-21.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.59$3.59
$7.12$7.12
-49.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92$2.92
$8.73$8.73
-66.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Canton, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.79$0.79
$1.34$1.34
-41.04%
White Bread(500g)
$2.53$2.53
$4.17$4.17
-39.33%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.89$3.89
$5.73$5.73
-32.11%
Eggs
$3.18$3.18
$4.89$4.89
-34.97%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.08$13.08
$14.77$14.77
-11.44%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.30$10.30
$14.85$14.85
-30.64%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.73$14.73
$19.61$19.61
-24.89%
Apples(1kg)
$3.92$3.92
$5.57$5.57
-29.62%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71$1.71
$1.92$1.92
-10.94%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.75$4.75
$4.17$4.17
13.91%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.01$5.01
$4.86$4.86
3.09%
Potato(1kg)
$2.35$2.35
$2.84$2.84
-17.25%
Onion(1kg)
$3.03$3.03
$2.80$2.80
8.21%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.99$1.99
$2.20$2.20
-9.55%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.86$1.86
$3.06$3.06
-39.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.92$7.92
$16.16$16.16
-50.99%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.10$11.10
$14.82$14.82
-25.10%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75$1.75
$2.53$2.53
-30.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.25$3.25
$3.35$3.35
-2.99%
🚌 Getting Around
Canton, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.17$2.17
$2.55$2.55
-14.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$39.76$39.76
$75.6$75.6
-47.39%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$3.30$3.30
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$1.36$1.36
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$25.12$25.12
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.90$0.90
$1.17$1.17
-23.08%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.5K$36.5K
$36.0K$36.0K
1.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K$26.1K
$26.2K$26.2K
-0.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Canton, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$276$276
$191$191
44.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$53.4$53.4
$67.9$67.9
-21.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$58.3$58.3
$61.7$61.7
-5.56%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Canton, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$24.52$24.52
$63.5$63.5
-61.37%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$27.14$27.14
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.72$13.72
$18.02$18.02
-23.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Canton, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$197$197
$1,522$1,522
-87.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,529$6,529
$31.3K$31.3K
-79.14%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Canton, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.28$40.28
$63.7$63.7
-36.75%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.35$40.35
$55.3$55.3
-26.97%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$69.3$69.3
$100$100
-30.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122$122
$153$153
-20.60%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Canton, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$900$900
$2,406$2,406
-62.59%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$790$790
$1,653$1,653
-52.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,199$1,199
$4,577$4,577
-73.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,482$1,482
$2,771$2,771
-46.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,482$1,482
$4,031$4,031
-63.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,509$1,509
$2,745$2,745
-45.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Canton, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,010$3,010
$4,804$4,804
-37.35%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.15
6.38
-3.61%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Canton, OH: September 14, 2026
Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $900 in Canton, OH and $2,406 in Chicago, IL. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Chicago, IL pays 60% 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: $54.0 in Canton, OH vs $88.0 in Chicago, IL for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $351 vs $464 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 56% 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 in Chicago, IL?
On paper, salaries run 60% lower in Chicago, IL. 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 compared to Chicago, IL?
Rent for a central apartment: $900 in Canton, OH versus $2,406 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 in Chicago, IL?
Childcare runs $197 in Canton, OH versus $1,522 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 in Chicago, IL?
Supermarket bills run roughly 32% higher in Chicago, IL. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Canton, OH or in Chicago, IL?
At $1,995 in Canton, OH versus $3,117 in Chicago, IL, a $2,000 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 $1,995 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 56% less than in Chicago, IL. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Canton, OH vs other spots: cost of living compared