Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Cadillac, MI Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Cadillac, MI

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,461 in Cadillac, MI, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,481 in Cadillac, MI, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,501 in Cadillac, MI, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 24% more than Cadillac, MI, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Cadillac, MI sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Cadillac, MI by 84%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$14.79 $14.79

39.76%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$39.57 $39.57

153.88%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$11.14 $11.14

6.46%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$4.84 $4.84

14.46%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.58 $2.58

18.60%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.01 $2.01

23.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$5.57 $5.57

24.24%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$6.11 $6.11

33.06%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.73 $0.73

42.47%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$2.15 $2.15

81.86%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$2.16 $2.16

150.93%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$2.72 $2.72

64.71%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$18.13 $18.13

-19.91%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$8.61 $8.61

76.66%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$14.28 $14.28

34.80%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$2.69 $2.69

100.37%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.21 $1.21

39.67%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$4.43 $4.43

-2.48%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$4.48 $4.48

0.67%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.26 $2.26

13.27%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.60 $2.60

3.85%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$1.65 $1.65

46.06%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.39 $2.39

9.62%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$9.95 $9.95

50.95%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$14.86 $14.86

-1.01%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.87 $1.87

32.62%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$1.96 $1.96

88.27%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.03 $2.03

25.62%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.95 $2.95

11.53%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.53 $1.53

-6.54%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$26.26 $26.26

-5.86%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.87 $0.87

25.29%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$25.9K $25.9K

22.73%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$25.1K $25.1K

5.16%

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

$183 $183

$160 $160

14.62%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$47.99 $47.99

28.84%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$68.2 $68.2

-4.61%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$42.60 $42.60

78.59%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$9.88 $9.88

49.29%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$1,904 $1,904

8.01%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$20.2K $20.2K

90.18%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$54.1 $54.1

18.28%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$37.70 $37.70

36.84%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$59.0 $59.0

64.93%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$100 $100

46.79%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,600 $1,600

46.79%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,370 $1,370

15.40%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,617 $2,617

79.94%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,193 $2,193

23.84%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$2,885 $2,885

37.84%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,361 $2,361

11.45%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.62

-0.30%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for Cadillac, MI: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,600 in Cadillac, MI. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $100 in Chicago, IL versus $40 in Cadillac, MI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $340 – making Cadillac, MI 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 Cadillac, MI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,461 in Cadillac, MI – roughly 24% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,691 in Cadillac, MI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Cadillac, MI, 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 $3,051 in Chicago, IL and $2,461 in Cadillac, MI. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $2,056 per month in Chicago, IL and $1,904 in Cadillac, MI. 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 $2,461 in Cadillac, MI. 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 $2,461 in Cadillac, MI to $3,051 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Cadillac, MI. 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.