Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Auburn, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Auburn, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,146 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,448 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,751 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 1% cheaper than Auburn, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Auburn, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Auburn, CA by 130%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$25.34 $25.34

-21.39%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$88.8 $88.8

-0.35%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$11.94 $11.94

8.38%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$4.86 $4.86

13.99%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$2.61 $2.61

4.98%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.29 $2.29

3.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$5.06 $5.06

40.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$6.86 $6.86

27.26%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.23 $1.23

8.94%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$4.29 $4.29

-2.80%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$7.75 $7.75

-26.06%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$3.26 $3.26

50.00%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$23.54 $23.54

-37.26%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$14.72 $14.72

0.88%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$17.85 $17.85

9.86%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$7.13 $7.13

-21.88%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.75 $1.75

9.71%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$6.88 $6.88

-39.39%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$6.65 $6.65

-26.92%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$4.92 $4.92

-42.28%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$3.14 $3.14

-10.83%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.94 $1.94

13.40%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.21 $2.21

38.46%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$11.75 $11.75

37.53%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$11.87 $11.87

24.85%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.40 $1.40

80.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$2.02 $2.02

65.84%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$3.60 $3.60

-29.17%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

$91.5 $91.5

-17.41%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$3.14 $3.14

5.10%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$2.41 $2.41

-43.57%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$39.94 $39.94

-37.11%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.20 $1.20

-2.50%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$32.9K $32.9K

9.50%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$24.2K $24.2K

8.45%

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

$191 $191

$185 $185

3.18%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$50.4 $50.4

34.66%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$68.2 $68.2

-9.59%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$64.7 $64.7

-1.90%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$14.89 $14.89

21.02%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$2,740 $2,740

-44.46%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$5,953 $5,953

425.89%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$69.7 $69.7

-8.66%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$47.11 $47.11

17.28%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$107 $107

-5.81%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$159 $159

-3.68%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,864 $1,864

29.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,569 $1,569

5.36%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$2,743 $2,743

66.85%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$2,343 $2,343

18.30%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$3,313 $3,313

21.67%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$2,689 $2,689

2.09%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$4,040 $4,040

18.92%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.19

3.07%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Auburn, CA: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,864 in Auburn, CA. 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 19% higher in Chicago, IL, 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $89.0 in Auburn, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $494 – making Chicago, IL 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

Chicago, IL vs Auburn, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $3,146 in Auburn, CA – roughly 1% apart. Auburn, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,718 in Auburn, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Chicago, IL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $1,522 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,740 in Auburn, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 6% more in Auburn, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $3,146 in Auburn, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,117 in Chicago, IL to $3,146 in Auburn, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Auburn, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.