🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL versus $3,928 in Aliso Viejo, CA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,593 in Chicago, IL versus $5,702 in Aliso Viejo, CA.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,177 in Chicago, IL versus $7,477 in Aliso Viejo, CA.
🙂Living in Chicago, IL costs roughly 23% less than in Aliso Viejo, CA, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Chicago, IL125% above, Aliso Viejo, CA193% above.
Moneda
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Aliso Viejo, CA
Diferencia
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.35$20.35
$25.35$25.35
-19.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$102$102
$98.3$98.3
3.40%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.98$11.98
$11.05$11.05
8.42%
Cappuccino
$5.70$5.70
$5.51$5.51
3.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00$3.00
$2.98$2.98
0.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.46$2.46
$2.33$2.33
5.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.87$6.87
$8.61$8.61
-20.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.09$8.09
$9.12$9.12
-11.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Aliso Viejo, CA
Diferencia
Milk(1 liter)
$1.03$1.03
$1.22$1.22
-15.57%
White Bread(500g)
$3.95$3.95
$4.45$4.45
-11.24%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.42$5.42
$4.80$4.80
12.92%
Eggs
$4.50$4.50
$4.55$4.55
-1.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.53$14.53
$12.43$12.43
16.89%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.89$14.89
$11.50$11.50
29.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.98$18.98
$14.29$14.29
32.82%
Apples(1kg)
$5.39$5.39
$6.51$6.51
-17.20%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77$1.77
$1.83$1.83
-3.28%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.35$4.35
$3.88$3.88
12.11%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.53$4.53
$4.82$4.82
-6.02%
Potato(1kg)
$2.53$2.53
$3.07$3.07
-17.59%
Onion(1kg)
$2.81$2.81
$2.46$2.46
14.23%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.51$2.51
$1.83$1.83
37.16%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.67$2.67
$2.10$2.10
27.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$14.88$14.88
$10.39$10.39
43.21%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.22$15.22
$15.16$15.16
0.40%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.46$2.46
$1.80$1.80
36.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53$3.53
$3.28$3.28
7.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Aliso Viejo, CA
Diferencia
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.56$2.56
$2.98$2.98
-14.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$74.3$74.3
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.19$3.19
$4.02$4.02
-20.65%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.41$1.41
$2.03$2.03
-30.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$25.49$25.49
$28.76$28.76
-11.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.04$1.04
$1.24$1.24
-16.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.2K$32.2K
$28.8K$28.8K
12.04%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8K$26.8K
$26.2K$26.2K
2.27%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Aliso Viejo, CA
Diferencia
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$184$184
$181$181
1.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.1$63.1
$55.0$55.0
14.85%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.4$66.4
$70.4$70.4
-5.60%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Aliso Viejo, CA
Diferencia
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$75.9$75.9
$49.96$49.96
51.94%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.06$13.06
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.25$15.25
$17.88$17.88
-14.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Aliso Viejo, CA
Diferencia
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,090$2,090
$1,788$1,788
16.92%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$39.2K$39.2K
$23.6K$23.6K
66.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Aliso Viejo, CA
Diferencia
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.2$64.2
$62.9$62.9
2.03%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.0$51.0
$46.53$46.53
9.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.2$97.2
$98.2$98.2
-1.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$149$149
$151$151
-1.89%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Aliso Viejo, CA
Diferencia
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,341$2,341
$2,828$2,828
-17.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,572$1,572
$2,491$2,491
-36.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$4,741$4,741
$4,055$4,055
16.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,819$2,819
$4,194$4,194
-32.77%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,900$3,900
$7,050$7,050
-44.68%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,638$2,638
$6,424$6,424
-58.93%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Aliso Viejo, CA
Diferencia
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,769$4,769
$7,904$7,904
-39.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.6
6.49
1.69%
Los datos de CityCost se basan en IA y aportaciones de usuarios. Puede haber pequeñas variaciones.
Última actualización para Chicago, IL: April 25, 2026
Última actualización para Aliso Viejo, CA: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,341 in Chicago, IL and $2,828 in Aliso Viejo, CA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Aliso Viejo, CA pays 66% 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: $102 in Chicago, IL vs $98.0 in Aliso Viejo, CA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $447 vs $407 per month, with Aliso Viejo, CA cheaper across the board.
Comparación de velocidades medias de internet por ciudad (actualizado April 2026)
El gráfico resalta el umbral de precisión para velocidades de internet móvil y fija, actualizado trimestralmente.
Índice del coste de vida para nómadas digitales
Chicago, IL vs Aliso Viejo, CA: Coste de vida - preguntas frecuentes
What is the total cost difference between living in Chicago, IL and Aliso Viejo, CA?
Chicago, IL and Aliso Viejo, CA differ by about 31% in total monthly costs ($3,009 vs $3,928 including rent). Chicago, IL is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Aliso Viejo, CA earns 66% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Chicago, IL and Aliso Viejo, CA?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,341 in Chicago, IL versus $2,828 in Aliso Viejo, CA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Shoppers in Aliso Viejo, CA pay roughly 10% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Which city is more expensive overall: Chicago, IL or Aliso Viejo, CA?
All in, you'll spend $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL versus $3,928 in Aliso Viejo, CA – a 31% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is feasible on a $3,000 budget?
Both cities are expensive relative to $3,000. Chicago, IL is the more realistic option, but even there you'll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
How does quality of life compare between Chicago, IL and Aliso Viejo, CA?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Chicago, IL or Aliso Viejo, CA safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Chicago, IL and Aliso Viejo, CA are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Chicago, IL or Aliso Viejo, CA?
Expats usually find Chicago, IL gentler on the wallet – expenses run 31% less than in Aliso Viejo, CA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Chicago, IL vs otros destinos: coste de vida comparado