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 $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,663 in Bainbridge Island, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,703 in Bainbridge Island, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,743 in Bainbridge Island, WA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 17% more than Bainbridge Island, WA, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Chicago, IL and Bainbridge Island, WA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Bainbridge Island, WA by 95%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$22.44 $22.44

-11.23%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$98.2 $98.2

-9.92%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$13.16 $13.16

-1.67%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$4.50 $4.50

23.11%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$2.57 $2.57

6.61%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.44 $2.44

-3.28%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$7.06 $7.06

0.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$7.84 $7.84

11.35%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.06 $1.06

26.42%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$4.82 $4.82

-13.49%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$2.82 $2.82

103.19%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$3.23 $3.23

51.39%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$14.88 $14.88

-0.74%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$14.09 $14.09

5.39%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$21.32 $21.32

-8.02%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$5.41 $5.41

2.96%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$2.00 $2.00

-4.00%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$5.53 $5.53

-24.59%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$4.40 $4.40

10.45%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.73 $2.73

4.03%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$3.89 $3.89

-28.02%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.30 $2.30

-4.35%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.05 $2.05

49.27%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$12.00 $12.00

34.67%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$18.81 $18.81

-21.21%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.08 $2.08

21.63%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.05 $3.05

9.84%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.98 $1.98

28.79%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

$53.7 $53.7

40.73%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$4.15 $4.15

-20.48%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.31 $1.31

3.82%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$33.10 $33.10

-24.11%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.27 $1.27

-7.87%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$36.1K $36.1K

-0.24%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.6K $25.6K

2.49%

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

$191 $191

$158 $158

21.00%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$54.0 $54.0

25.68%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$63.9 $63.9

-3.46%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$41.94 $41.94

51.34%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$13.76 $13.76

30.96%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,946 $1,946

-21.78%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$49.6K $49.6K

-36.88%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$59.1 $59.1

7.69%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$37.59 $37.59

46.98%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

0.30%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$113 $113

35.84%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,590 $1,590

51.34%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,286 $1,286

28.57%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$3,682 $3,682

24.29%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$3,613 $3,613

-23.29%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$2,716 $2,716

48.42%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$2,428 $2,428

13.08%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$4,815 $4,815

-0.21%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.33%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Bainbridge Island, WA: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,590 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 0% higher in Bainbridge Island, WA, 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 $98.0 in Bainbridge Island, WA. Groceries tell a different story – $464 in Chicago, IL vs $449 in Bainbridge Island, WA – so Bainbridge Island, WA 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 Bainbridge Island, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,663 in Bainbridge Island, WA – roughly 17% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,995 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 Bainbridge Island, WA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Public transport costs about 41% less in Bainbridge Island, WA. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Kindergarten costs $1,522 per month in Chicago, IL and $1,946 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 $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $2,663 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 $2,663 in Bainbridge Island, WA to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Bainbridge Island, WA. 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.