Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Casa Grande, AZ Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Casa Grande, AZ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,577 in Casa Grande, AZ, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,730 in Casa Grande, AZ, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,883 in Casa Grande, AZ, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 19% more than Casa Grande, AZ, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Casa Grande, AZ sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Casa Grande, AZ by 92%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$18.74 $18.74

11.58%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$75.5 $75.5

30.01%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$10.87 $10.87

9.11%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.05 $5.05

10.89%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.51 $2.51

22.31%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.05 $2.05

20.49%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$6.15 $6.15

16.10%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$6.85 $6.85

17.96%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.03 $1.03

1.94%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.53 $3.53

16.43%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.33 $4.33

29.56%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.23 $4.23

6.62%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$12.31 $12.31

15.92%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$11.40 $11.40

30.61%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$15.34 $15.34

25.10%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.82 $4.82

6.64%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.62 $1.62

9.26%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.15 $4.15

5.78%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.59 $4.59

-0.65%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.88 $2.88

-11.81%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.01 $2.01

20.40%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.12 $2.12

23.58%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$9.43 $9.43

58.22%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$14.08 $14.08

5.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.84 $1.84

33.70%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.42 $3.42

9.06%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.01 $2.01

23.38%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.45 $3.45

-7.83%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.61 $1.61

-11.80%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$28.79 $28.79

-13.37%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.91 $0.91

16.48%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$29.3K $29.3K

8.79%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.9K $25.9K

0.37%

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

$185 $185

$186 $186

-0.36%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$52.2 $52.2

18.37%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

0.06%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$42.65 $42.65

76.25%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$13.52 $13.52

8.80%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,273 $1,273

58.71%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$23.5K $23.5K

67.68%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$50.7 $50.7

27.51%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$39.96 $39.96

31.26%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$87.0 $87.0

12.44%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$112 $112

31.78%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,605 $1,605

44.06%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,357 $1,357

17.19%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,580 $2,580

78.59%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,180 $2,180

27.48%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,723 $2,723

44.00%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,424 $2,424

7.79%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Casa Grande, AZ: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,605 in Casa Grande, AZ. 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $75.0 in Casa Grande, AZ. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $385 – making Casa Grande, AZ 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 Casa Grande, AZ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,577 in Casa Grande, AZ – roughly 19% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,866 in Casa Grande, AZ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Casa Grande, AZ, 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 $2,577 in Casa Grande, AZ. 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 $1,273 in Casa Grande, AZ. 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 $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,577 in Casa Grande, AZ. 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 $2,577 in Casa Grande, AZ to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Casa Grande, AZ. 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.