Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Enfield Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Enfield

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,084 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,570 in Enfield, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,637 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,741 in Enfield, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,191 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,912 in Enfield, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 20% more than Enfield, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Enfield sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Enfield by 92%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.81 $20.81

$19.13 $19.13

8.78%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.6 $98.6

$75.8 $75.8

30.12%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.90 $11.90

$10.81 $10.81

10.08%

Cappuccino

$5.84 $5.84

$4.99 $4.99

17.03%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.47 $2.47

24.29%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.04 $2.04

15.20%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$6.12 $6.12

12.25%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.07 $8.07

$7.13 $7.13

13.18%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

White Bread (500g)

$3.98 $3.98

$3.41 $3.41

16.72%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.60 $5.60

$4.45 $4.45

25.84%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$4.32 $4.32

5.32%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.20 $14.20

$12.41 $12.41

14.42%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.90 $14.90

$11.28 $11.28

32.09%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.08 $19.08

$15.34 $15.34

24.38%

Apples (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$4.93 $4.93

7.71%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.61 $1.61

6.21%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$4.29 $4.29

-1.17%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$4.75 $4.75

-8.00%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.88 $2.88

-11.11%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.76 $2.76

1.45%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.04 $2.04

21.08%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.10 $2.10

28.57%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.95 $14.95

$9.62 $9.62

55.41%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.73 $14.73

$14.96 $14.96

-1.54%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.83 $1.83

29.51%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 $3.57

$3.40 $3.40

5.00%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.44 $2.44

$2.05 $2.05

19.02%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.2 $75.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.55 $3.55

-5.63%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.59 $1.59

-13.84%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.29 $25.29

$29.39 $29.39

-13.95%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.83 $0.83

31.33%

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

$32.3K $32.3K

$29.8K $29.8K

8.25%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$25.7K $25.7K

2.69%

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

$188 $188

$186 $186

0.95%

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

$63.3 $63.3

$53.8 $53.8

17.52%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$68.9 $68.9

-3.96%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.6 $75.6

$43.49 $43.49

73.74%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.20 $13.20

$49.02 $49.02

-73.07%

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$13.73 $13.73

7.79%

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

$2,097 $2,097

$1,324 $1,324

58.40%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$23.2K $23.2K

66.17%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.9 $64.9

$51.2 $51.2

26.72%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$40.57 $40.57

27.16%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.3 $96.3

$88.3 $88.3

9.03%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$146 $146

$111 $111

31.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,332 $2,332

$1,594 $1,594

46.27%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,579 $1,579

$1,353 $1,353

16.66%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,775 $4,775

$2,664 $2,664

79.24%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,725 $2,725

$2,240 $2,240

21.66%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,023 $4,023

$2,432 $2,432

65.43%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,684 $2,684

$2,102 $2,102

27.68%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,981 $4,981

$5,495 $5,495

-9.35%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 20, 2026

Last update for Enfield: July 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,332 in Chicago, IL versus $1,594 in Enfield. 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 10% higher in Enfield, 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $76.0 in Enfield. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $445 vs $388 – making Enfield 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 Enfield: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,084 in Chicago, IL, $2,570 in Enfield – roughly 20% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,626 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,854 in Enfield. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Enfield, 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL and $76.0 in Enfield. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 15% 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.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,084 in Chicago, IL and $2,570 in Enfield. 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 $2,570 in Enfield to $3,084 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 Enfield. 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.