Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Columbia, SC Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Columbia, SC

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,179 in Columbia, SC, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,435 in Columbia, SC, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,691 in Columbia, SC, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 43% more than Columbia, SC, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Columbia, SC sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Columbia, SC by 59%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$20.11 $20.11

-0.94%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$61.1 $61.1

44.95%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$11.91 $11.91

8.65%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.22 $5.22

6.13%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$2.72 $2.72

0.74%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.22 $2.22

6.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$5.48 $5.48

29.93%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$6.49 $6.49

34.51%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.78 $0.78

71.79%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$2.50 $2.50

66.80%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$4.68 $4.68

22.44%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$4.22 $4.22

15.88%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$10.19 $10.19

44.95%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$11.10 $11.10

33.78%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$15.78 $15.78

24.27%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$5.05 $5.05

10.30%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.58 $1.58

21.52%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$6.36 $6.36

-34.43%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$5.90 $5.90

-17.63%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$3.14 $3.14

-9.55%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$4.16 $4.16

-32.69%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.95 $1.95

12.82%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$1.95 $1.95

56.92%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$8.31 $8.31

94.46%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$15.85 $15.85

-6.50%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.85 $1.85

36.76%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$2.79 $2.79

20.07%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.98 $1.98

28.79%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

$39.44 $39.44

91.61%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$2.04 $2.04

61.76%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.51 $1.51

-9.93%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$17.68 $17.68

42.08%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.90 $0.90

30.00%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$34.7K $34.7K

3.83%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.0K $25.0K

4.79%

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

$191 $191

$276 $276

-30.57%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$58.2 $58.2

16.80%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$63.2 $63.2

-2.42%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$37.03 $37.03

71.40%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

$18.11 $18.11

49.86%

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$15.05 $15.05

19.73%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,154 $1,154

31.92%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$22.2K $22.2K

41.23%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$51.4 $51.4

23.89%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$40.42 $40.42

36.69%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$82.0 $82.0

22.45%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$112 $112

36.40%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,263 $1,263

90.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$862 $862

91.66%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$2,157 $2,157

112.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$1,792 $1,792

54.68%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$2,125 $2,125

89.71%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$1,640 $1,640

67.41%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$3,230 $3,230

48.74%

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: September 13, 2026

Last update for Columbia, SC: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,263 in Columbia, SC. 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 49% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $61.0 in Columbia, SC. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $387 – making Columbia, SC 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 Columbia, SC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,179 in Columbia, SC – roughly 43% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,269 in Columbia, SC. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Columbia, SC, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 20% 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $61.0 in Columbia, SC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Columbia, SC, where all-in costs run around $2,179, than in Chicago, IL at $3,117. In Columbia, SC it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,179 in Columbia, SC to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Columbia, SC. 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.