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 $3,068 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,008 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,648 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,264 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,229 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,520 in Auburn, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 2% more than Auburn, CA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Auburn, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Auburn, CA by 125%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.17 $20.17

$24.54 $24.54

-17.81%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.5 $99.5

$89.0 $89.0

11.74%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.23 $12.23

$11.88 $11.88

2.95%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.69 $4.69

19.40%

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

$3.12 $3.12

$2.61 $2.61

19.54%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 $2.43

$2.24 $2.24

8.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.93 $6.93

$4.88 $4.88

42.01%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.20 $8.20

$6.79 $6.79

20.77%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$1.23 $1.23

-12.20%

White Bread (500g)

$3.97 $3.97

$4.30 $4.30

-7.67%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.58 $5.58

$6.21 $6.21

-10.14%

Eggs

$4.47 $4.47

$3.16 $3.16

41.46%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.50 $14.50

$21.01 $21.01

-30.99%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$14.62 $14.62

3.15%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.34 $19.34

$16.94 $16.94

14.17%

Apples (1kg)

$5.37 $5.37

$7.85 $7.85

-31.59%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.75 $1.75

0.57%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$6.49 $6.49

-33.44%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.41 $4.41

$6.27 $6.27

-29.67%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$4.46 $4.46

-43.05%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$3.50 $3.50

-22.86%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.49 $2.49

$1.95 $1.95

27.69%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.60 $2.60

$2.22 $2.22

17.12%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.80 $14.80

$10.88 $10.88

36.03%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.18 $15.18

$11.94 $11.94

27.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.46 $1.46

69.18%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.60 $3.60

$1.97 $1.97

82.74%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.02 $2.02

25.74%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.3 $76.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$3.46 $3.46

-4.62%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.98 $1.98

-30.30%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.36 $25.36

$39.39 $39.39

-35.62%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.31 $1.31

-16.79%

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

$31.6K $31.6K

$23.8K $23.8K

32.85%

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

$26.6K $26.6K

$24.6K $24.6K

7.84%

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

$186 $186

$270 $270

-31.20%

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

$62.9 $62.9

$50.4 $50.4

24.82%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$71.7 $71.7

-7.66%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.6 $77.6

$65.0 $65.0

19.43%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.16 $13.16

Cinema Ticket

$14.74 $14.74

$14.66 $14.66

0.55%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$2,693 $2,693

-24.29%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$6,059 $6,059

557.78%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$53.4 $53.4

19.64%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$40.09 $40.09

27.64%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.2 $95.2

$64.6 $64.6

47.40%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$125 $125

14.94%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,305 $2,305

$1,876 $1,876

22.89%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,575 $1,575

$1,571 $1,571

0.24%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,688 $4,688

$2,764 $2,764

69.63%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,737 $2,737

$2,325 $2,325

17.72%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,063 $4,063

$3,259 $3,259

24.70%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,696 $2,696

$2,721 $2,721

-0.92%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,019 $5,019

$4,035 $4,035

24.40%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.55

0.76%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 11, 2026

Last update for Auburn, CA: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,305 in Chicago, IL versus $1,876 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 24% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $89.0 in Auburn, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $448 in Chicago, IL vs $477 in Auburn, CA – so Chicago, IL 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 Auburn, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,068 in Chicago, IL, $3,008 in Auburn, CA – roughly 2% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,602 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,512 in Auburn, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Auburn, CA, 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 $3,068 in Chicago, IL and $3,008 in Auburn, CA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $2,039 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,693 in Auburn, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,068 in Chicago, IL and $3,008 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 $3,008 in Auburn, CA to $3,068 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Auburn, CA. 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.