Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Fairborn, OH Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Fairborn, OH

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,502 in Fairborn, OH, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,596 in Fairborn, OH, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,689 in Fairborn, OH, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 23% more than Fairborn, OH, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Fairborn, OH sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Fairborn, OH by 87%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$16.36 $16.36

27.81%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$60.1 $60.1

63.31%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$9.96 $9.96

19.08%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.23 $4.23

32.39%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.89 $2.89

6.23%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.69 $1.69

46.15%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.87 $5.87

21.64%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.85 $7.85

2.93%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.75 $0.75

40.00%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$2.49 $2.49

65.06%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$3.64 $3.64

54.12%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$3.36 $3.36

34.23%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$8.98 $8.98

58.91%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$10.99 $10.99

35.49%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$14.60 $14.60

31.44%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.96 $4.96

3.63%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.30 $1.30

36.15%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$5.68 $5.68

-22.71%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.46 $4.46

2.24%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.26 $2.26

12.39%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.67 $2.67

3.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.78 $1.78

35.96%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.05 $2.05

27.80%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$9.47 $9.47

57.55%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$18.89 $18.89

-21.65%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.78 $1.78

38.20%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$2.18 $2.18

71.10%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.03 $2.03

22.17%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$1.97 $1.97

61.42%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.66 $1.66

-14.46%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$33.59 $33.59

-25.75%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.91 $0.91

16.48%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$29.3K $29.3K

8.86%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$24.7K $24.7K

5.27%

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

$185 $185

$204 $204

-9.44%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$45.36 $45.36

36.11%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$73.4 $73.4

-8.80%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$42.77 $42.77

75.75%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$13.91 $13.91

5.75%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$560 $560

260.86%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$4,972 $4,972

692.59%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$47.32 $47.32

36.54%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$40.91 $40.91

28.21%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$74.5 $74.5

31.27%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$107 $107

37.90%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,595 $1,595

44.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,374 $1,374

15.75%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,651 $2,651

73.86%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,215 $2,215

25.44%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,814 $2,814

39.36%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,120 $2,120

23.25%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$4,038 $4,038

29.20%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.54

0.92%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Fairborn, OH: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,595 in Fairborn, OH. 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 29% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $60.0 in Fairborn, OH. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $359 – making Fairborn, OH 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 Fairborn, OH: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,502 in Fairborn, OH – roughly 23% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,754 in Fairborn, OH. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Fairborn, OH, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $60.0 in Fairborn, OH. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 25% 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.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Fairborn, OH, where all-in costs run around $2,502, than in Chicago, IL at $3,077. In Fairborn, OH it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,502 in Fairborn, OH to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Fairborn, OH. 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.