Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Bainbridge Island, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Bainbridge Island, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,183 in Bainbridge Island, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,911 in Bainbridge Island, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,638 in Bainbridge Island, WA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 4% cheaper than Bainbridge Island, WA, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Chicago, IL and Bainbridge Island, WA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Bainbridge Island, WA by 138%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$22.55 $22.55

-8.34%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$98.4 $98.4

2.14%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$12.44 $12.44

-4.66%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$4.73 $4.73

17.12%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.52 $2.52

21.43%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.37 $2.37

4.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$7.02 $7.02

-1.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$8.15 $8.15

-0.25%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.08 $1.08

-3.70%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$4.34 $4.34

-9.91%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$2.84 $2.84

90.85%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$3.18 $3.18

40.88%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$14.66 $14.66

-0.95%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$15.45 $15.45

-1.55%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$14.71 $14.71

30.86%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$5.07 $5.07

6.31%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$2.23 $2.23

-24.22%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$3.66 $3.66

23.22%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.78 $2.78

-7.91%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$6.59 $6.59

-59.03%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$2.69 $2.69

-10.41%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.87 $2.87

-8.71%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$5.44 $5.44

176.10%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$19.61 $19.61

-24.99%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.05 $2.05

20.98%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$4.08 $4.08

-9.56%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$3.41 $3.41

-25.22%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

$54.1 $54.1

39.56%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$4.28 $4.28

-23.13%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.25 $1.25

14.40%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$29.36 $29.36

-15.80%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.11 $1.11

-1.80%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$29.8K $29.8K

6.53%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$25.6K $25.6K

3.33%

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

$183 $183

$155 $155

18.25%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$52.1 $52.1

18.70%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$70.9 $70.9

-8.23%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$70.8 $70.8

7.53%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$14.03 $14.03

5.13%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$2,104 $2,104

-2.25%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$29.8K $29.8K

29.17%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$60.6 $60.6

5.51%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$37.42 $37.42

37.87%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$99.1 $99.1

-1.90%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$113 $113

29.77%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$2,417 $2,417

-2.80%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,773 $1,773

-10.81%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$3,807 $3,807

23.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$3,573 $3,573

-23.99%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$2,655 $2,655

49.74%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,333 $2,333

12.81%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$4,868 $4,868

-2.98%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

10.00%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for Bainbridge Island, WA: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $2,417 in Bainbridge Island, WA. 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 3% higher in Bainbridge Island, WA, 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $98 in Bainbridge Island, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $442 – making Bainbridge Island, WA 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 Bainbridge Island, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $3,183 in Bainbridge Island, WA – roughly 4% apart. Bainbridge Island, WA costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,774 in Bainbridge Island, WA. 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.

Public transport costs about 40% less in Chicago, IL. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Kindergarten costs $2,056 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,104 in Bainbridge Island, WA. 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 $3,051 in Chicago, IL and $3,183 in Bainbridge Island, WA. 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 $3,051 in Chicago, IL to $3,183 in Bainbridge Island, WA. 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, Bainbridge Island, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.