Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Bradford, PA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Bradford, PA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,541 in Bradford, PA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,560 in Bradford, PA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,579 in Bradford, PA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 21% more than Bradford, PA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Bradford, PA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Bradford, PA by 90%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$19.79 $19.79

5.66%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$50.9 $50.9

92.68%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$9.97 $9.97

18.96%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.45 $5.45

2.75%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.66 $2.66

15.41%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.11 $2.11

17.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.65 $5.65

26.37%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.19 $7.19

12.38%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.92 $0.92

14.13%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$2.24 $2.24

83.48%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$3.35 $3.35

67.46%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$3.84 $3.84

17.45%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$13.20 $13.20

8.11%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$8.24 $8.24

80.70%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$12.21 $12.21

57.17%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$3.89 $3.89

32.13%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.55 $1.55

14.19%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$3.21 $3.21

36.76%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$3.34 $3.34

36.53%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.57 $2.57

-1.17%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.79 $2.79

-1.43%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.01 $2.01

20.40%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.97 $1.97

32.99%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$6.85 $6.85

117.81%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$7.83 $7.83

89.02%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.76 $1.76

39.77%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.44 $3.44

8.43%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.03 $2.03

22.17%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$5.29 $5.29

-39.89%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$2.30 $2.30

-38.26%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$45.28 $45.28

-44.92%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.67 $0.67

58.21%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$33.2K $33.2K

-3.82%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$24.6K $24.6K

5.92%

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

$185 $185

$250 $250

-25.94%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$46.93 $46.93

31.56%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$40.24 $40.24

66.30%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$42.73 $42.73

75.92%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$10.84 $10.84

35.70%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$910 $910

122.12%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$28.1K $28.1K

40.14%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$35.27 $35.27

83.19%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$40.03 $40.03

31.03%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$103 $103

-4.95%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$78.4 $78.4

88.13%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$751 $751

208.05%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,331 $1,331

19.47%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,659 $2,659

73.30%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,262 $2,262

22.86%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,730 $2,730

43.66%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,376 $2,376

9.94%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$3,800 $3,800

37.32%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.53

1.07%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Bradford, PA: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $751 in Bradford, PA. 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 37% 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $51.0 in Bradford, PA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $312 – making Bradford, PA 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 Bradford, PA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago, IL costs about 21% more than Bradford, PA, 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 $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,812 in Bradford, PA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,541 in Bradford, PA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $2,020 per month in Chicago, IL and $910 in Bradford, PA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Bradford, PA, where all-in costs run around $2,541, than in Chicago, IL at $3,077. In Bradford, PA it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bradford, PA costs $2,541 versus $3,077 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 Bradford, PA. 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.