Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Ellicott City, MD Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Ellicott City, MD

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,184 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,538 in Ellicott City, MD, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,725 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,833 in Ellicott City, MD, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,266 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,128 in Ellicott City, MD, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 25% more than Ellicott City, MD, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Ellicott City, MD sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Ellicott City, MD by 84%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.26 $20.26

$18.15 $18.15

11.63%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.8 $88.8

$97.7 $97.7

-9.15%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.16 $13.16

$10.85 $10.85

21.29%

Cappuccino

$5.77 $5.77

$5.12 $5.12

12.70%

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

$2.63 $2.63

$3.45 $3.45

-23.77%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.34 $2.34

$2.60 $2.60

-10.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.06 $7.06

$6.80 $6.80

3.82%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.18 $9.18

$7.76 $7.76

18.30%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 $1.30

$1.26 $1.26

3.17%

White Bread (500g)

$4.05 $4.05

$4.02 $4.02

0.75%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.69 $5.69

$4.27 $4.27

33.26%

Eggs

$4.85 $4.85

$4.78 $4.78

1.46%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$17.80 $17.80

-15.28%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.87 $14.87

$12.61 $12.61

17.92%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$19.10 $19.10

0.94%

Apples (1kg)

$5.68 $5.68

$5.59 $5.59

1.61%

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.90 $1.90

1.58%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.10 $4.10

$4.78 $4.78

-14.23%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.11 $5.11

$4.79 $4.79

6.68%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$2.68 $2.68

8.96%

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$2.81 $2.81

-1.42%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.30 $2.30

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.04 $3.04

$2.27 $2.27

33.92%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.93 $15.93

$10.66 $10.66

49.44%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.06 $15.06

$15.90 $15.90

-5.28%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.77 $2.77

-8.66%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$3.08 $3.08

12.99%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.10 $2.10

20.48%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.8 $74.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.28 $3.28

$1.85 $1.85

77.30%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.21 $1.21

12.40%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.55 $22.55

$24.46 $24.46

-7.81%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$0.99 $0.99

23.23%

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

$36.1K $36.1K

$34.5K $34.5K

4.56%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.5K $25.5K

2.05%

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

$188 $188

$164 $164

14.79%

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

$69.0 $69.0

$52.6 $52.6

31.08%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.6 $63.6

$78.8 $78.8

-19.39%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.4 $63.4

$42.34 $42.34

49.83%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.11 $27.11

Cinema Ticket

$17.90 $17.90

$16.63 $16.63

7.64%

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

$1,526 $1,526

$1,606 $1,606

-4.97%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

$35.3K $35.3K

-9.59%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.1 $62.1

$51.5 $51.5

20.43%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.4 $56.4

$63.0 $63.0

-10.51%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$92.3 $92.3

9.30%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$156 $156

$111 $111

40.16%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,342 $2,342

$1,609 $1,609

45.59%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,698 $1,698

$1,277 $1,277

32.99%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,576 $4,576

$2,534 $2,534

80.53%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,806 $2,806

$2,151 $2,151

30.47%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,130 $4,130

$2,743 $2,743

50.57%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,740 $2,740

$2,417 $2,417

13.33%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,891 $4,891

$5,081 $5,081

-3.74%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.26

1.92%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 6, 2026

Last update for Ellicott City, MD: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,342 in Chicago, IL versus $1,609 in Ellicott City, MD. 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 4% higher in Ellicott City, MD, 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 $98.0 in Ellicott City, MD. Groceries tell a different story – $465 in Chicago, IL vs $447 in Ellicott City, MD – so Ellicott City, MD 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 Ellicott City, MD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,184 in Chicago, IL, $2,538 in Ellicott City, MD – roughly 25% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,776 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,807 in Ellicott City, MD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Ellicott City, MD, 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 $98.0 in Ellicott City, MD. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 4% 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 $3,184 in Chicago, IL and $2,538 in Ellicott City, MD. 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 $2,538 in Ellicott City, MD to $3,184 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Ellicott City, MD. 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.