Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Boise, ID Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Boise, ID

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,581 in Boise, ID, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,593 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,684 in Boise, ID, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,177 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,788 in Boise, ID, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 17% more than Boise, ID, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Boise, ID sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 125%, Boise, ID by 93%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.35 $20.35

$19.76 $19.76

2.99%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$64.1 $64.1

58.60%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.98 $11.98

$11.18 $11.18

7.16%

Cappuccino

$5.70 $5.70

$6.23 $6.23

-8.51%

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

$3.00 $3.00

$2.64 $2.64

13.64%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.29 $2.29

7.42%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$6.82 $6.82

0.73%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.09 $8.09

$7.19 $7.19

12.52%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.93 $0.93

10.75%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$3.61 $3.61

9.42%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$5.36 $5.36

1.12%

Eggs

$4.50 $4.50

$3.84 $3.84

17.19%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$12.80 $12.80

13.52%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$8.77 $8.77

69.78%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.98 $18.98

$13.35 $13.35

42.17%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$5.01 $5.01

7.58%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.67 $1.67

5.99%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.35 $4.35

$3.69 $3.69

17.89%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.53 $4.53

$4.74 $4.74

-4.43%

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.38 $2.38

6.30%

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$2.17 $2.17

29.49%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 $2.51

$1.93 $1.93

30.05%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.15 $2.15

24.19%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.88 $14.88

$8.75 $8.75

70.06%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.22 $15.22

$15.77 $15.77

-3.49%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.84 $1.84

33.70%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.53 $3.53

$2.62 $2.62

34.73%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.48 $1.48

72.97%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.3 $74.3

$42.61 $42.61

74.37%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.19 $3.19

$2.63 $2.63

21.29%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.52 $1.52

-7.24%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.49 $25.49

$24.37 $24.37

4.60%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.95 $0.95

9.47%

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

$32.2K $32.2K

$33.1K $33.1K

-2.63%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$25.8K $25.8K

3.87%

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

$184 $184

$138 $138

33.46%

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

$63.1 $63.1

$50.3 $50.3

25.39%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.4 $66.4

$72.1 $72.1

-7.87%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.9 $75.9

$40.33 $40.33

88.22%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.06 $13.06

$38.13 $38.13

-65.75%

Cinema Ticket

$15.25 $15.25

$12.30 $12.30

23.98%

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

$2,090 $2,090

$1,214 $1,214

72.14%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.2K $39.2K

$23.5K $23.5K

66.84%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$60.1 $60.1

6.86%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.0 $51.0

$33.69 $33.69

51.38%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.2 $97.2

$88.9 $88.9

9.30%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 $149

$100 $100

48.47%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,341 $2,341

$1,597 $1,597

46.59%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,572 $1,572

$1,380 $1,380

13.95%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,741 $4,741

$2,434 $2,434

94.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,819 $2,819

$1,982 $1,982

42.26%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,900 $3,900

$7,364 $7,364

-47.04%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,638 $2,638

$3,012 $3,012

-12.40%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,769 $4,769

$4,251 $4,251

12.17%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.58

0.30%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 25, 2026

Last update for Boise, ID: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,341 in Chicago, IL versus $1,597 in Boise, ID. 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 12% 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 $102 in Chicago, IL versus $64.0 in Boise, ID. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $369 – making Boise, ID 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 Boise, ID: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago, IL costs about 17% more than Boise, ID, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,872 in Boise, ID. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Boise, ID, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $2,090 per month in Chicago, IL and $1,214 in Boise, ID. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 21% more in Chicago, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $2,581 in Boise, ID. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Boise, ID costs $2,581 versus $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Boise, ID. 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.