Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Birch Run, MI Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Birch Run, MI

😐 Solo nomad: Chicago, IL is 26.1% more expensive than Birch Run, MI without rent, and 18.2% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Chicago, IL is 41.9% more expensive than Birch Run, MI without rent, and 27.6% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Birch Run, MI
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.82 $20.82
$18.21 $18.21
14.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$69.1 $69.1
45.23%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.97 $11.97
$11.17 $11.17
7.16%
Cappuccino
$5.56 $5.56
$4.78 $4.78
16.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 $3.11
$2.54 $2.54
22.44%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$1.56 $1.56
55.13%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.86 $6.86
$6.09 $6.09
12.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45 $8.45
$6.99 $6.99
20.89%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Birch Run, MI
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$0.83 $0.83
25.30%
White Bread (500g)
$4.15 $4.15
$3.56 $3.56
16.57%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$4.87 $4.87
13.35%
Eggs
$4.65 $4.65
$3.29 $3.29
41.34%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.33 $14.33
$9.69 $9.69
47.88%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.88 $14.88
$12.34 $12.34
20.58%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.34 $19.34
$15.2 $15.2
27.24%
Apples (1kg)
$5.17 $5.17
$8.6 $8.6
-39.88%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.32 $1.32
29.55%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$4.3 $4.3
2.56%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$3.52 $3.52
28.12%
Potato (1kg)
$2.53 $2.53
$2.21 $2.21
14.48%
Onion (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$4 $4
-31.50%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 $2.43
$2.5 $2.5
-2.80%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$2.82 $2.82
-4.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.19 $15.19
$7.84 $7.84
93.75%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.42 $16.42
$15.28 $15.28
7.46%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.85 $1.85
27.03%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.7 $3.7
$3.5 $3.5
5.71%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Birch Run, MI
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 $2.53
$2.05 $2.05
23.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.1 $74.1
$40.12 $40.12
84.77%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$4.76 $4.76
-29.83%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$1.43 $1.43
-0.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.42 $25.42
$27.79 $27.79
-8.53%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$0.85 $0.85
27.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$25.2K $25.2K
28.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$24K $24K
9.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Birch Run, MI
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 $188
$119 $119
57.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7 $63.7
$46.18 $46.18
37.94%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.2 $65.2
$57.9 $57.9
12.53%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Birch Run, MI
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.7 $76.7
$43.77 $43.77
75.28%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.03 $13.03
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.93 $14.93
$10.79 $10.79
38.37%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Birch Run, MI
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,063 $2,063
$964 $964
113.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$39.2K $39.2K
$21.3K $21.3K
84.37%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Birch Run, MI
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.3 $64.3
$38.61 $38.61
66.56%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 $52.4
$41.75 $41.75
25.49%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.2 $95.2
$78.7 $78.7
20.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 $145
$99.2 $99.2
45.80%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Birch Run, MI
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,378 $2,378
$1,600 $1,600
48.59%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 $1,584
$1,350 $1,350
17.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,763 $4,763
$2,634 $2,634
80.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,815 $2,815
$2,247 $2,247
25.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,588 $3,588
$2,404 $2,404
49.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,490 $2,490
$2,615 $2,615
-4.78%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Birch Run, MI
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,275 $5,275
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.6
4.9
34.69%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

Last update for Birch Run, MI: October 29, 2025

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