Cost of Living Comparison Between Chevy Chase, MD and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Chevy Chase, MD and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,770 per month in Chevy Chase, MD vs $3,068 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,040 per month in Chevy Chase, MD vs $4,648 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,310 per month in Chevy Chase, MD vs $6,229 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Chevy Chase, MD is about 10% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chevy Chase, MD and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Chevy Chase, MD by 107%, Chicago, IL by 130%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.64 $19.64

$20.17 $20.17

-2.63%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$81.0 $81.0

$99.5 $99.5

-18.57%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.80 $13.80

$12.23 $12.23

12.84%

Cappuccino

$5.76 $5.76

$5.60 $5.60

2.86%

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

$2.76 $2.76

$3.12 $3.12

-11.54%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.43 $2.43

-6.17%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.04 $6.04

$6.93 $6.93

-12.84%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.92 $7.92

$8.20 $8.20

-3.41%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.96 $0.96

$1.08 $1.08

-11.11%

White Bread (500g)

$3.08 $3.08

$3.97 $3.97

-22.42%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.16 $6.16

$5.58 $5.58

10.39%

Eggs

$4.81 $4.81

$4.47 $4.47

7.61%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$18.70 $18.70

$14.50 $14.50

28.97%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.14 $10.14

$15.08 $15.08

-32.76%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.62 $16.62

$19.34 $19.34

-14.06%

Apples (1kg)

$5.27 $5.27

$5.37 $5.37

-1.86%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

Oranges (1kg)

$7.13 $7.13

$4.32 $4.32

65.05%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.71 $6.71

$4.41 $4.41

52.15%

Potato (1kg)

$3.46 $3.46

$2.54 $2.54

36.22%

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$2.70 $2.70

2.59%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.31 $2.31

$2.49 $2.49

-7.23%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.49 $2.49

$2.60 $2.60

-4.23%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.54 $10.54

$14.80 $14.80

-28.78%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.01 $14.01

$15.18 $15.18

-7.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.47 $2.47

9.31%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.91 $4.91

$3.60 $3.60

36.39%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.02 $2.02

$2.54 $2.54

-20.47%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.3 $76.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.52 $3.52

$3.30 $3.30

6.67%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.38 $1.38

2.17%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.04 $29.04

$25.36 $25.36

14.51%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.83 $0.83

$1.09 $1.09

-23.85%

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

$29.4K $29.4K

$31.6K $31.6K

-7.01%

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

$26.6K $26.6K

0.09%

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

$206 $206

$186 $186

10.64%

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

$64.2 $64.2

$62.9 $62.9

2.08%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$73.1 $73.1

$66.2 $66.2

10.47%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.36 $42.36

$77.6 $77.6

-45.43%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.16 $13.16

Cinema Ticket

$14.96 $14.96

$14.74 $14.74

1.49%

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

$1,765 $1,765

$2,039 $2,039

-13.45%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$20.2K $20.2K

$39.9K $39.9K

-49.44%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.8 $53.8

$63.9 $63.9

-15.74%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$62.0 $62.0

$51.2 $51.2

21.09%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.4 $96.4

$95.2 $95.2

1.30%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$196 $196

$144 $144

35.78%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,611 $1,611

$2,305 $2,305

-30.13%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,332 $1,332

$1,575 $1,575

-15.45%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,632 $2,632

$4,688 $4,688

-43.86%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,251 $2,251

$2,737 $2,737

-17.75%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,542 $2,542

$4,063 $4,063

-37.45%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,077 $2,077

$2,696 $2,696

-22.95%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,019 $5,019

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 Chevy Chase, MD: July 14, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,611 in Chevy Chase, MD versus $2,305 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $81.0 in Chevy Chase, MD versus $99.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $446 vs $448 – making Chevy Chase, MD 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

Chevy Chase, MD vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago, IL costs about 11% more than Chevy Chase, MD, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,154 per month in Chevy Chase, MD and $4,602 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Chevy Chase, MD, 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 $2,770 in Chevy Chase, MD and $3,068 in Chicago, IL. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,765 per month in Chevy Chase, MD and $2,039 in Chicago, IL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,770 in Chevy Chase, MD and $3,068 in Chicago, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chevy Chase, MD costs $2,770 versus $3,068 in Chicago, IL. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Chevy Chase, MD. 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.