Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and California, MD Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and California, MD

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,513 in California, MD, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,593 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,660 in California, MD, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,177 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,806 in California, MD, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 20% more than California, MD, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and California, MD sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 125%, California, MD by 88%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.35 $20.35

$8.85 $8.85

129.94%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$81.4 $81.4

24.89%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.98 $11.98

$10.09 $10.09

18.73%

Cappuccino

$5.70 $5.70

$5.93 $5.93

-3.88%

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

$3.00 $3.00

$2.72 $2.72

10.29%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.35 $2.35

4.68%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$5.49 $5.49

25.14%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.09 $8.09

$7.11 $7.11

13.78%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.91 $0.91

13.19%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$3.15 $3.15

25.40%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$2.25 $2.25

140.89%

Eggs

$4.50 $4.50

$4.83 $4.83

-6.83%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$13.19 $13.19

10.16%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$10.09 $10.09

47.57%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.98 $18.98

$11.19 $11.19

69.62%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.40 $4.40

22.50%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

Oranges (1kg)

$4.35 $4.35

$4.39 $4.39

-0.91%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.53 $4.53

$6.69 $6.69

-32.29%

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$3.60 $3.60

-29.72%

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$2.73 $2.73

2.93%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 $2.51

$2.05 $2.05

22.44%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$1.97 $1.97

35.53%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.88 $14.88

$8.73 $8.73

70.45%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.22 $15.22

$13.86 $13.86

9.81%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.77 $1.77

38.98%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.53 $3.53

$5.09 $5.09

-30.65%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.07 $2.07

23.67%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.3 $74.3

$80.3 $80.3

-7.48%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.19 $3.19

$3.90 $3.90

-18.21%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.33 $1.33

6.02%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.49 $25.49

$29.34 $29.34

-13.12%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.87 $0.87

19.54%

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

$32.2K $32.2K

$29.3K $29.3K

10.06%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$23.3K $23.3K

14.90%

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

$184 $184

$211 $211

-12.96%

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

$63.1 $63.1

$42.14 $42.14

49.76%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.4 $66.4

$70.5 $70.5

-5.80%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.9 $75.9

$40.33 $40.33

88.22%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.06 $13.06

$10.82 $10.82

20.70%

Cinema Ticket

$15.25 $15.25

$15.07 $15.07

1.19%

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

$2,090 $2,090

$2,181 $2,181

-4.14%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.2K $39.2K

$23.6K $23.6K

66.47%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$53.2 $53.2

20.74%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.0 $51.0

$47.82 $47.82

6.65%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.2 $97.2

$97.7 $97.7

-0.55%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 $149

$137 $137

8.68%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,341 $2,341

$1,722 $1,722

35.93%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,572 $1,572

$1,305 $1,305

20.43%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,741 $4,741

$2,488 $2,488

90.57%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,819 $2,819

$2,148 $2,148

31.24%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,900 $3,900

$6,796 $6,796

-42.61%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,638 $2,638

$6,395 $6,395

-58.74%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,769 $4,769

$6,927 $6,927

-31.15%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.48

1.85%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 25, 2026

Last update for California, MD: April 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,341 in Chicago, IL versus $1,722 in California, MD. 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 45% higher in California, MD, 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 $102 in Chicago, IL versus $81.0 in California, MD. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $371 – making California, MD 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 California, MD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Chicago, IL is pricier by about 20%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,770 in California, MD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in California, MD, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $102 in Chicago, IL and $81.0 in California, MD. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $2,513 in California, MD. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward California, MD – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with California, MD. 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.