Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Acton, MA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Acton, MA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,667 in Acton, MA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,976 in Acton, MA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $7,286 in Acton, MA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 15% more than Acton, MA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Acton, MA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Acton, MA by 99%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$19.06 $19.06

9.71%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$99.0 $99.0

-0.91%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$13.37 $13.37

-11.29%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.54 $4.54

23.35%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.77 $2.77

10.83%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.17 $2.17

13.82%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.89 $5.89

21.22%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.30 $7.30

10.68%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.18 $1.18

-11.02%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.31 $3.31

24.17%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$3.17 $3.17

76.97%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$6.63 $6.63

-31.98%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$10.94 $10.94

30.44%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$9.39 $9.39

58.57%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$20.96 $20.96

-8.44%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$5.50 $5.50

-6.55%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.14 $2.14

-17.29%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$5.76 $5.76

-23.78%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$5.93 $5.93

-23.10%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$4.32 $4.32

-41.20%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$4.48 $4.48

-38.62%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$3.28 $3.28

-26.22%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.29 $2.29

14.41%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$11.12 $11.12

34.17%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$10.66 $10.66

38.84%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.17 $2.17

13.36%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$1.46 $1.46

155.48%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.97 $1.97

25.89%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$4.02 $4.02

-20.90%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.70 $1.70

-16.47%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$28.87 $28.87

-13.61%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.87 $0.87

21.84%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$29.8K $29.8K

7.03%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$26.4K $26.4K

-1.55%

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

$185 $185

$316 $316

-41.55%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$68.6 $68.6

-9.99%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$64.0 $64.0

4.56%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$24.62 $24.62

205.32%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$12.90 $12.90

14.03%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,492 $1,492

35.40%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$23.6K $23.6K

67.07%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$51.7 $51.7

25.09%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$31.96 $31.96

64.11%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$66.5 $66.5

47.21%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$81.8 $81.8

80.40%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$3,465 $3,465

-33.27%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,377 $1,377

15.50%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,677 $2,677

72.12%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$4,273 $4,273

-34.97%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$9,066 $9,066

-42.45%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.61

-0.15%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Acton, MA: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $3,465 in Acton, MA. 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 74% higher in Acton, MA, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $99.0 in Acton, MA. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $417 in Acton, MA – so Acton, MA 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

Chicago, IL vs Acton, MA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago, IL costs about 15% more than Acton, MA, 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 $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,000 in Acton, MA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Acton, MA, 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 $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,667 in Acton, MA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $2,020 per month in Chicago, IL and $1,492 in Acton, MA. 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 $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,667 in Acton, MA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Acton, MA costs $2,667 versus $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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 Acton, MA. 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.