Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Dana Point, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Dana Point, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,696 in Dana Point, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,881 in Dana Point, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $7,066 in Dana Point, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 13% more than Dana Point, CA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Dana Point, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Dana Point, CA by 101%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$24.79 $24.79

-16.62%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

-0.02%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$12.20 $12.20

-2.79%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.81 $5.81

-4.65%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.96 $2.96

3.38%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.22 $2.22

11.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$8.19 $8.19

-15.51%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$10.07 $10.07

-19.27%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.18 $1.18

-11.86%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$4.40 $4.40

-11.14%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$6.03 $6.03

-10.12%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$4.01 $4.01

11.72%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$12.76 $12.76

13.79%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$13.44 $13.44

13.17%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$15.22 $15.22

26.48%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$5.34 $5.34

0.94%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$2.62 $2.62

-35.50%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$3.56 $3.56

21.35%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$4.72 $4.72

-4.45%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$3.00 $3.00

-14.67%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.44 $2.44

10.66%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$1.84 $1.84

30.98%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.15 $2.15

21.86%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$11.64 $11.64

29.04%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.55 $2.55

-2.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$3.30 $3.30

11.82%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.97 $1.97

29.44%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$3.18 $3.18

3.46%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$2.06 $2.06

-30.58%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$29.49 $29.49

-16.17%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.28 $1.28

-14.84%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$32.3K $32.3K

-1.62%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$27.2K $27.2K

-2.62%

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

$183 $183

$186 $186

-1.50%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$66.9 $66.9

-7.56%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$69.6 $69.6

-6.57%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$42.39 $42.39

79.48%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$17.79 $17.79

-17.09%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$1,780 $1,780

15.53%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$23.4K $23.4K

64.35%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$63.1 $63.1

1.28%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$46.63 $46.63

10.64%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$101 $101

-3.40%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$151 $151

-2.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$2,963 $2,963

-20.72%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,364 $1,364

15.90%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$4,973 $4,973

-5.32%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$4,004 $4,004

-32.18%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$10.0K $10.0K

-60.32%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$7,485 $7,485

-36.89%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.49

1.69%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for Dana Point, CA: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $2,963 in Dana Point, 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 58% higher in Dana Point, CA, 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $100 in Dana Point, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $423 in Dana Point, CA – so Dana Point, CA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Dana Point, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,696 in Dana Point, CA – roughly 13% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,043 in Dana Point, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Dana Point, CA, 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 $100 in Chicago, IL and $100 in Dana Point, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 6% 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.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,051 in Chicago, IL and $2,696 in Dana Point, CA. 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 $2,696 in Dana Point, CA to $3,051 in Chicago, IL. 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 Dana Point, CA. 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.