Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Costa Mesa, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Costa Mesa, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,738 in Costa Mesa, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,327 in Costa Mesa, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,915 in Costa Mesa, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 18% cheaper than Costa Mesa, CA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Costa Mesa, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Costa Mesa, CA by 179%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$20.31 $20.31

2.95%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$78.9 $78.9

24.36%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$12.14 $12.14

-2.31%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.07 $5.07

10.45%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$3.26 $3.26

-5.83%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.27 $2.27

8.81%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$7.08 $7.08

0.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$8.22 $8.22

-1.70%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.13 $1.13

-7.08%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$4.08 $4.08

0.74%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.49 $4.49

24.94%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$5.11 $5.11

-11.74%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$10.45 $10.45

36.56%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$8.76 $8.76

69.98%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$14.75 $14.75

30.10%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.42 $4.42

16.29%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.94 $1.94

-8.76%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.45 $4.45

-1.35%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$5.69 $5.69

-19.86%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$4.47 $4.47

-43.18%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.93 $2.93

-6.14%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.12 $2.12

14.15%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.10 $2.10

24.76%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$10.85 $10.85

37.51%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$15.27 $15.27

-3.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.92 $1.92

28.13%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.56 $3.56

4.78%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.02 $2.02

22.77%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$6.73 $6.73

-52.75%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$2.79 $2.79

-49.10%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$29.28 $29.28

-14.82%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$1.24 $1.24

-14.52%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$24.4K $24.4K

31.07%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$24.7K $24.7K

5.59%

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

$185 $185

$294 $294

-37.08%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$52.4 $52.4

17.91%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$59.5 $59.5

12.57%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$39.72 $39.72

89.25%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$14.95 $14.95

-1.61%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,204 $1,204

67.77%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$23.3K $23.3K

69.28%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$55.4 $55.4

16.69%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$34.50 $34.50

52.03%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$88.2 $88.2

10.94%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$102 $102

44.44%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$2,775 $2,775

-16.67%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$2,513 $2,513

-36.74%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$3,931 $3,931

17.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$3,915 $3,915

-29.02%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$6,090 $6,090

-14.32%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.58

0.30%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Costa Mesa, CA: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $2,775 in Costa Mesa, CA. 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 Costa Mesa, CA, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $79.0 in Costa Mesa, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $390 – making Costa Mesa, CA 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 Costa Mesa, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Costa Mesa, CA costs about 21% more than Chicago, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $5,608 in Costa Mesa, CA. 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $79.0 in Costa Mesa, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 15% cheaper in Costa Mesa, CA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $3,738 in Costa Mesa, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Costa Mesa, CA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,077 in Chicago, IL to $3,738 in Costa Mesa, CA. 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, Costa Mesa, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.