Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Chevy Chase, MD Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Chevy Chase, MD

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,106 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,669 in Chevy Chase, MD, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,604 in Chevy Chase, MD, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,092 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,538 in Chevy Chase, MD, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 15% cheaper than Chevy Chase, MD, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Chevy Chase, MD sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Chevy Chase, MD by 167%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.86 $19.86

$20.12 $20.12

-1.29%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.3 $88.3

$105 $105

-16.14%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.23 $13.23

$12.16 $12.16

8.80%

Cappuccino

$5.86 $5.86

$4.55 $4.55

28.79%

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

$2.61 $2.61

$2.73 $2.73

-4.40%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

$2.36 $2.36

-1.69%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.03 $7.03

$6.45 $6.45

8.99%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.25 $9.25

$9.08 $9.08

1.87%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.12 $1.12

19.64%

White Bread (500g)

$4.19 $4.19

$3.41 $3.41

22.87%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$6.24 $6.24

-11.86%

Eggs

$4.71 $4.71

$6.81 $6.81

-30.84%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.72 $14.72

$19.03 $19.03

-22.65%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$20.50 $20.50

-29.12%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.69 $19.69

$23.46 $23.46

-16.07%

Apples (1kg)

$5.64 $5.64

$7.99 $7.99

-29.41%

Banana (1kg)

$1.97 $1.97

$2.87 $2.87

-31.36%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$7.44 $7.44

-45.70%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$7.99 $7.99

-36.55%

Potato (1kg)

$2.94 $2.94

$2.91 $2.91

1.03%

Onion (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$3.29 $3.29

-11.25%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.86 $2.86

-20.28%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.12 $3.12

$3.13 $3.13

-0.32%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.19 $16.19

$8.99 $8.99

80.09%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$18.23 $18.23

-16.79%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$1.69 $1.69

57.99%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$3.85 $3.85

-9.61%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.80 $1.80

41.11%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 $3.16

$4.05 $4.05

-21.98%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.98 $1.98

-30.81%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.66 $22.66

$24.80 $24.80

-8.63%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$0.92 $0.92

30.43%

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

$37.0K $37.0K

$36.9K $36.9K

0.25%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$24.7K $24.7K

5.32%

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

$190 $190

$221 $221

-14.04%

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

$68.5 $68.5

$53.8 $53.8

27.22%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.1 $61.1

$80.5 $80.5

-24.16%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 $63.8

$41.79 $41.79

52.62%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$18.28 $18.28

$15.20 $15.20

20.26%

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

$1,525 $1,525

$1,974 $1,974

-22.75%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.0K $32.0K

$19.8K $19.8K

61.47%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$47.83 $47.83

33.85%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.4 $54.4

$48.03 $48.03

13.26%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$121 $121

-16.87%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$135 $135

13.69%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,421 $2,421

$2,529 $2,529

-4.26%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,690 $1,690

$2,160 $2,160

-21.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,584 $4,584

$4,147 $4,147

10.54%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,782 $2,782

$1,976 $1,976

40.80%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,170 $4,170

$2,802 $2,802

48.78%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,739 $2,739

$2,404 $2,404

13.92%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,777 $4,777

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.1

4.59%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Last update for Chevy Chase, MD: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,421 in Chicago, IL versus $2,529 in Chevy Chase, MD. 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $105 in Chevy Chase, MD. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $571 – making Chicago, IL 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 Chevy Chase, MD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chevy Chase, MD costs about 18% more than Chicago, IL, 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 $4,659 per month in Chicago, IL and $5,504 in Chevy Chase, MD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Chicago, IL, 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 $3,106 in Chicago, IL and $3,669 in Chevy Chase, MD. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $1,525 per month in Chicago, IL and $1,974 in Chevy Chase, MD. 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 $3,106 in Chicago, IL and $3,669 in Chevy Chase, MD. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chicago, IL costs $3,106 versus $3,669 in Chevy Chase, MD. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chevy Chase, MD makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.