Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and El Centro, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and El Centro, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,184 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,584 in El Centro, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,725 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,689 in El Centro, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,266 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,794 in El Centro, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 23% more than El Centro, CA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and El Centro, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, El Centro, CA by 87%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.26 $20.26

$11.77 $11.77

72.13%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.8 $88.8

$40.39 $40.39

119.81%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.16 $13.16

$11.35 $11.35

15.95%

Cappuccino

$5.77 $5.77

$4.11 $4.11

40.39%

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

$2.63 $2.63

$2.05 $2.05

28.29%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.34 $2.34

$2.04 $2.04

14.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.06 $7.06

$3.05 $3.05

131.48%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.18 $9.18

$6.99 $6.99

31.33%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 $1.30

$1.20 $1.20

8.33%

White Bread (500g)

$4.05 $4.05

$5.70 $5.70

-28.95%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.69 $5.69

$4.30 $4.30

32.33%

Eggs

$4.85 $4.85

$5.09 $5.09

-4.72%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$12.65 $12.65

19.21%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.87 $14.87

$20.54 $20.54

-27.60%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$14.07 $14.07

37.03%

Apples (1kg)

$5.68 $5.68

$5.58 $5.58

1.79%

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.79 $1.79

7.82%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.10 $4.10

$4.12 $4.12

-0.49%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.11 $5.11

$6.47 $6.47

-21.02%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$3.57 $3.57

-18.21%

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$3.52 $3.52

-21.31%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.30 $2.30

$2.28 $2.28

0.88%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.04 $3.04

$2.24 $2.24

35.71%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.93 $15.93

$11.80 $11.80

35.00%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.06 $15.06

$14.91 $14.91

1.01%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.68 $1.68

50.60%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$3.22 $3.22

8.07%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.06 $2.06

22.82%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.8 $74.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.28 $3.28

$4.40 $4.40

-25.45%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.87 $1.87

-27.27%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.55 $22.55

$36.13 $36.13

-37.59%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$1.47 $1.47

-17.01%

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

$36.1K $36.1K

$36.8K $36.8K

-1.84%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

-0.14%

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

$188 $188

$214 $214

-12.10%

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

$69.0 $69.0

$72.4 $72.4

-4.67%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.6 $63.6

$70.0 $70.0

-9.16%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.4 $63.4

$47.43 $47.43

33.76%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.11 $27.11

Cinema Ticket

$17.90 $17.90

$12.22 $12.22

46.48%

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

$1,526 $1,526

$1,915 $1,915

-20.28%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

$41.9K $41.9K

-23.85%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.1 $62.1

$72.4 $72.4

-14.22%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.4 $56.4

$40.92 $40.92

37.78%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$81.0 $81.0

24.66%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$156 $156

$172 $172

-9.29%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,342 $2,342

$1,765 $1,765

32.68%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,698 $1,698

$1,418 $1,418

19.80%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,576 $4,576

$2,803 $2,803

63.27%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,806 $2,806

$2,139 $2,139

31.17%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,130 $4,130

$2,695 $2,695

53.28%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,740 $2,740

$2,223 $2,223

23.26%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,891 $4,891

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.08

4.93%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 6, 2026

Last update for El Centro, CA: September 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,342 in Chicago, IL versus $1,765 in El Centro, CA. 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 $89.0 in Chicago, IL versus $40.00 in El Centro, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $465 in Chicago, IL vs $475 in El Centro, CA – so Chicago, IL 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 El Centro, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,184 in Chicago, IL, $2,584 in El Centro, CA – roughly 23% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,776 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,875 in El Centro, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in El Centro, 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 $89.0 in Chicago, IL and $40.00 in El Centro, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 2% 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 $3,184 in Chicago, IL and $2,584 in El Centro, 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 $2,584 in El Centro, CA to $3,184 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 El Centro, 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.