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 $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,668 in Ellicott City, MD, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,941 in Ellicott City, MD, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,213 in Ellicott City, MD, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 14% 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 128%, Ellicott City, MD by 99%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$19.72 $19.72

4.82%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$90.2 $90.2

11.41%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$9.87 $9.87

20.16%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.11 $5.11

8.41%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$3.20 $3.20

-4.38%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.52 $2.52

-1.59%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$6.16 $6.16

12.34%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$7.73 $7.73

5.17%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.17 $1.17

-11.11%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$3.47 $3.47

12.68%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$4.42 $4.42

22.62%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$4.26 $4.26

5.16%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$17.46 $17.46

-16.84%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$10.03 $10.03

51.65%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$15.92 $15.92

20.92%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$6.69 $6.69

-19.43%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$2.95 $2.95

-42.71%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$7.12 $7.12

-39.33%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$5.37 $5.37

-16.01%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.74 $2.74

-6.57%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.88 $2.88

-6.25%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$2.42 $2.42

-0.41%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.67 $2.67

-1.87%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$8.04 $8.04

86.82%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$14.95 $14.95

-1.61%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.27 $2.27

9.25%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$3.74 $3.74

-1.34%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.04 $2.04

25.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$1.77 $1.77

85.88%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.35 $1.35

5.93%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$24.48 $24.48

0.98%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.89 $0.89

22.47%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$24.9K $24.9K

27.35%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$24.7K $24.7K

7.20%

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

$183 $183

$174 $174

5.03%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$53.3 $53.3

16.07%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$78.7 $78.7

-17.37%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$42.53 $42.53

78.89%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$15.33 $15.33

-3.78%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$1,274 $1,274

61.40%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$33.8K $33.8K

13.85%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$47.03 $47.03

35.93%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$48.57 $48.57

6.22%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$86.4 $86.4

12.53%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$111 $111

33.12%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,610 $1,610

45.88%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,363 $1,363

15.96%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,588 $2,588

81.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,229 $2,229

21.83%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,663 $2,663

-1.16%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$4,975 $4,975

-5.06%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.57

0.46%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for Ellicott City, MD: April 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,610 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 5% 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $90 in Ellicott City, MD. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $442 – making Ellicott City, MD 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 Ellicott City, MD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,668 in Ellicott City, MD – roughly 14% 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 $4,002 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 $100 in Chicago, IL and $90.0 in Ellicott City, MD. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 1% 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 $2,668 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 $2,668 in Ellicott City, MD to $3,051 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.