Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Augusta, ME Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Augusta, ME

😐 Solo nomad: Chicago, IL is 37.1% more expensive than Augusta, ME without rent, and 37.6% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Chicago, IL is 19.4% more expensive than Augusta, ME without rent, and 47.5% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Augusta, ME
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.82 $20.82
$20.27 $20.27
2.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$75.9 $75.9
32.20%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.97 $11.97
$7.47 $7.47
60.24%
Cappuccino
$5.56 $5.56
$4.95 $4.95
12.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 $3.11
$2.3 $2.3
35.22%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$1.93 $1.93
25.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.86 $6.86
$5.02 $5.02
36.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45 $8.45
$6.04 $6.04
39.90%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Augusta, ME
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$1.15 $1.15
-9.57%
White Bread (500g)
$4.15 $4.15
$3.41 $3.41
21.70%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$1.75 $1.75
215.43%
Eggs
$4.65 $4.65
$3.78 $3.78
23.02%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.33 $14.33
$17.14 $17.14
-16.39%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.88 $14.88
$11.95 $11.95
24.52%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.34 $19.34
$18.48 $18.48
4.65%
Apples (1kg)
$5.17 $5.17
$4.45 $4.45
16.18%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.27 $1.27
34.65%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$3.04 $3.04
45.07%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$6.47 $6.47
-30.29%
Potato (1kg)
$2.53 $2.53
$2.2 $2.2
15.00%
Onion (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$3.34 $3.34
-17.96%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 $2.43
$2.84 $2.84
-14.44%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$1.49 $1.49
81.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.19 $15.19
$9.16 $9.16
65.83%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.42 $16.42
$14.92 $14.92
10.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$2.8 $2.8
-16.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.7 $3.7
$1.95 $1.95
89.74%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Augusta, ME
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 $2.53
$1.98 $1.98
27.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.1 $74.1
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$2.62 $2.62
27.48%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$1.26 $1.26
12.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.42 $25.42
$27.79 $27.79
-8.53%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$0.92 $0.92
17.39%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$29.7K $29.7K
9.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$24.7K $24.7K
6.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Augusta, ME
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 $188
$192 $192
-2.08%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7 $63.7
$57.8 $57.8
10.13%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.2 $65.2
$77 $77
-15.32%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Augusta, ME
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.7 $76.7
$30.11 $30.11
154.80%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.03 $13.03
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.93 $14.93
$13.25 $13.25
12.68%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Augusta, ME
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,063 $2,063
$2,785 $2,785
-25.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$39.2K $39.2K
$27.8K $27.8K
41.17%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Augusta, ME
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.3 $64.3
$66.2 $66.2
-2.78%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 $52.4
$44.18 $44.18
18.58%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.2 $95.2
$85.8 $85.8
10.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 $145
$147 $147
-1.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Augusta, ME
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,378 $2,378
$1,045 $1,045
127.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 $1,584
$947 $947
67.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,763 $4,763
$1,601 $1,601
197.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,815 $2,815
$1,480 $1,480
90.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,588 $3,588
$2,222 $2,222
61.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,490 $2,490
$2,115 $2,115
17.75%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Augusta, ME
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,275 $5,275
$2,002 $2,002
163.48%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.6
6.43
2.64%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

Last update for Augusta, ME: October 29, 2025

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