Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Colorado Springs, CO Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Colorado Springs, CO

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,068 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,108 in Colorado Springs, CO, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,648 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,275 in Colorado Springs, CO, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,229 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,442 in Colorado Springs, CO, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 1% cheaper than Colorado Springs, CO, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Chicago, IL and Colorado Springs, CO sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Colorado Springs, CO by 133%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.17 $20.17

$19.73 $19.73

2.23%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.5 $99.5

$83.9 $83.9

18.51%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.23 $12.23

$9.85 $9.85

24.16%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$6.22 $6.22

-9.97%

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

$3.12 $3.12

$3.26 $3.26

-4.29%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 $2.43

$2.33 $2.33

4.29%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.93 $6.93

$6.24 $6.24

11.06%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.20 $8.20

$6.99 $6.99

17.31%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$1.00 $1.00

8.00%

White Bread (500g)

$3.97 $3.97

$3.68 $3.68

7.88%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.58 $5.58

$4.43 $4.43

25.96%

Eggs

$4.47 $4.47

$5.54 $5.54

-19.31%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.50 $14.50

$15.65 $15.65

-7.35%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$15.24 $15.24

-1.05%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.34 $19.34

$18.33 $18.33

5.51%

Apples (1kg)

$5.37 $5.37

$4.39 $4.39

22.32%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.59 $1.59

10.69%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$3.71 $3.71

16.44%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.41 $4.41

$4.81 $4.81

-8.32%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.72 $2.72

-6.62%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.71 $2.71

-0.37%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.49 $2.49

$2.26 $2.26

10.18%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.60 $2.60

$2.28 $2.28

14.04%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.80 $14.80

$10.16 $10.16

45.67%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.18 $15.18

$19.35 $19.35

-21.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.21 $2.21

11.76%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.60 $3.60

$3.82 $3.82

-5.76%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.34 $2.34

8.55%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.3 $76.3

$62.0 $62.0

23.10%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$2.47 $2.47

33.60%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.43 $1.43

-3.50%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.36 $25.36

$24.96 $24.96

1.60%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.86 $0.86

26.74%

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

$31.6K $31.6K

$27.3K $27.3K

15.84%

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

$26.6K $26.6K

$26.1K $26.1K

1.77%

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

$186 $186

$194 $194

-3.97%

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

$62.9 $62.9

$71.9 $71.9

-12.59%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$101 $101

-34.25%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.6 $77.6

$61.6 $61.6

26.09%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.16 $13.16

$29.72 $29.72

-55.72%

Cinema Ticket

$14.74 $14.74

$15.05 $15.05

-2.06%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$1,477 $1,477

38.01%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$24.1K $24.1K

65.31%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$58.8 $58.8

8.55%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$37.24 $37.24

37.41%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.2 $95.2

$91.4 $91.4

4.15%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$102 $102

40.57%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,305 $2,305

$1,702 $1,702

35.47%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,575 $1,575

$1,628 $1,628

-3.27%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,688 $4,688

$2,591 $2,591

80.94%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,737 $2,737

$2,272 $2,272

20.47%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,063 $4,063

$2,514 $2,514

61.62%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,696 $2,696

$2,444 $2,444

10.32%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,019 $5,019

$4,292 $4,292

16.94%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 11, 2026

Last update for Colorado Springs, CO: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,305 in Chicago, IL versus $1,702 in Colorado Springs, CO. 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 17% higher in Chicago, IL, 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $84.0 in Colorado Springs, CO. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $443 – making Colorado Springs, CO 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 Colorado Springs, CO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,068 in Chicago, IL, $3,108 in Colorado Springs, CO – roughly 1% apart. Colorado Springs, CO costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,602 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,663 in Colorado Springs, CO. 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.

Interestingly, groceries are about 1% cheaper in Colorado Springs, CO – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $99.0 in Chicago, IL and $84.0 in Colorado Springs, CO. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,068 in Chicago, IL and $3,108 in Colorado Springs, CO. 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 $3,068 in Chicago, IL to $3,108 in Colorado Springs, CO. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

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