Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Driggs, ID Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Driggs, ID

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,106 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,613 in Driggs, ID, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,931 in Driggs, ID, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,092 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,248 in Driggs, ID, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 19% more than Driggs, ID, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Driggs, ID sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Driggs, ID by 90%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.86 $19.86

$20.24 $20.24

-1.88%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.3 $88.3

$101 $101

-12.66%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.23 $13.23

$9.96 $9.96

32.83%

Cappuccino

$5.86 $5.86

$4.35 $4.35

34.71%

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

$2.61 $2.61

$3.14 $3.14

-16.88%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

$2.03 $2.03

14.29%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.03 $7.03

$5.86 $5.86

19.97%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.25 $9.25

$6.91 $6.91

33.86%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.05 $1.05

27.62%

White Bread (500g)

$4.19 $4.19

$3.43 $3.43

22.16%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$7.56 $7.56

-27.25%

Eggs

$4.71 $4.71

$6.23 $6.23

-24.40%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.72 $14.72

$24.78 $24.78

-40.60%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$13.39 $13.39

8.51%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.69 $19.69

$19.98 $19.98

-1.45%

Apples (1kg)

$5.64 $5.64

$4.48 $4.48

25.89%

Banana (1kg)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.42 $1.42

38.73%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$4.09 $4.09

-1.22%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$5.06 $5.06

0.20%

Potato (1kg)

$2.94 $2.94

$1.94 $1.94

51.55%

Onion (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$2.14 $2.14

36.45%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.26 $2.26

0.88%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.12 $3.12

$2.18 $2.18

43.12%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.19 $16.19

$9.61 $9.61

68.47%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$15.03 $15.03

0.93%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$1.68 $1.68

58.93%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$4.37 $4.37

-20.37%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.06 $2.06

23.30%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 $3.16

$2.57 $2.57

22.96%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.34 $1.34

2.24%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.66 $22.66

$59.7 $59.7

-62.04%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$0.93 $0.93

29.03%

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

$37.0K $37.0K

$32.1K $32.1K

15.49%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.3K $25.3K

3.05%

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

$190 $190

$176 $176

7.89%

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

$68.5 $68.5

$60.3 $60.3

13.60%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.1 $61.1

$84.5 $84.5

-27.71%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 $63.8

$41.44 $41.44

53.91%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$18.28 $18.28

$14.79 $14.79

23.60%

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

$1,525 $1,525

$1,203 $1,203

26.70%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.0K $32.0K

$19.4K $19.4K

64.85%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$67.8 $67.8

-5.62%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.4 $54.4

$31.85 $31.85

70.80%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$98.2 $98.2

2.42%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$98.7 $98.7

55.35%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,421 $2,421

$1,562 $1,562

54.96%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,690 $1,690

$1,276 $1,276

32.48%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,584 $4,584

$2,505 $2,505

82.98%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,782 $2,782

$2,153 $2,153

29.24%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,170 $4,170

$2,354 $2,354

77.11%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,739 $2,739

$2,045 $2,045

33.94%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,777 $4,777

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.11

4.42%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Last update for Driggs, ID: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,421 in Chicago, IL versus $1,562 in Driggs, ID. 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 $101 in Driggs, ID. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $466 – 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 Driggs, ID: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,106 in Chicago, IL, $2,613 in Driggs, ID – roughly 19% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,659 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,920 in Driggs, ID. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Driggs, ID, 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $101 in Driggs, ID. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 0% cheaper in Chicago, IL – 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 $3,106 in Chicago, IL and $2,613 in Driggs, ID. 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 $2,613 in Driggs, ID to $3,106 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Driggs, ID. 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.