Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Elk Grove, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Elk Grove, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,184 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,066 in Elk Grove, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,725 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,545 in Elk Grove, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,266 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,024 in Elk Grove, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 4% more than Elk Grove, CA, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Chicago, IL and Elk Grove, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Elk Grove, CA by 122%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.26 $20.26

$22.75 $22.75

-10.95%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.8 $88.8

$64.1 $64.1

38.57%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.16 $13.16

$12.06 $12.06

9.12%

Cappuccino

$5.77 $5.77

$6.98 $6.98

-17.34%

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

$2.63 $2.63

$2.06 $2.06

27.67%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.34 $2.34

$2.73 $2.73

-14.29%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.06 $7.06

$10.44 $10.44

-32.38%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.18 $9.18

$10.29 $10.29

-10.79%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 $1.30

$1.63 $1.63

-20.25%

White Bread (500g)

$4.05 $4.05

$3.98 $3.98

1.76%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.69 $5.69

$4.32 $4.32

31.71%

Eggs

$4.85 $4.85

$5.64 $5.64

-14.01%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$17.30 $17.30

-12.83%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.87 $14.87

$11.52 $11.52

29.08%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$28.07 $28.07

-31.31%

Apples (1kg)

$5.68 $5.68

$9.42 $9.42

-39.70%

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.64 $1.64

17.68%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.10 $4.10

$9.65 $9.65

-57.51%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.11 $5.11

$4.63 $4.63

10.37%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$2.85 $2.85

2.46%

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$5.94 $5.94

-53.37%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.30 $2.30

$2.94 $2.94

-21.77%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.04 $3.04

$2.29 $2.29

32.75%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.93 $15.93

$12.78 $12.78

24.65%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.06 $15.06

$21.22 $21.22

-29.03%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.72 $1.72

47.09%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$3.39 $3.39

2.65%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.99 $1.99

27.14%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.8 $74.8

$153 $153

-51.09%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.28 $3.28

$3.08 $3.08

6.49%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.74 $1.74

-21.84%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.55 $22.55

$32.17 $32.17

-29.90%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$1.43 $1.43

-14.69%

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

$36.1K $36.1K

$30.9K $30.9K

16.74%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$22.9K $22.9K

13.71%

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

$188 $188

$201 $201

-6.09%

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

$69.0 $69.0

$109 $109

-36.49%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.6 $63.6

$132 $132

-51.71%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.4 $63.4

$41.32 $41.32

53.53%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.11 $27.11

$25.29 $25.29

7.20%

Cinema Ticket

$17.90 $17.90

$17.77 $17.77

0.73%

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

$1,526 $1,526

$1,474 $1,474

3.55%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

$23.0K $23.0K

38.84%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.1 $62.1

$89.6 $89.6

-30.76%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.4 $56.4

$41.92 $41.92

34.49%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$167 $167

-39.60%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$156 $156

$130 $130

19.81%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,342 $2,342

$2,321 $2,321

0.93%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,698 $1,698

$1,297 $1,297

30.90%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,576 $4,576

$3,332 $3,332

37.32%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,806 $2,806

$2,157 $2,157

30.06%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,130 $4,130

$3,982 $3,982

3.73%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,740 $2,740

$2,335 $2,335

17.32%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,891 $4,891

$7,550 $7,550

-35.22%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

5.83

9.43%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 6, 2026

Last update for Elk Grove, CA: September 5, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,342 in Chicago, IL versus $2,321 in Elk Grove, 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 54% higher in Elk Grove, 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 $89.0 in Chicago, IL versus $64.0 in Elk Grove, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $465 in Chicago, IL vs $526 in Elk Grove, 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 Elk Grove, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,184 in Chicago, IL, $3,066 in Elk Grove, CA – roughly 4% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Monthly Utilities & Internet showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,776 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,599 in Elk Grove, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Interestingly, groceries are about 13% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in Chicago, IL and $64.0 in Elk Grove, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,184 in Chicago, IL and $3,066 in Elk Grove, 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 $3,066 in Elk Grove, 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 Elk Grove, 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.