Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Farmington Hills, MI Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Farmington Hills, MI

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,184 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,541 in Farmington Hills, MI, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,725 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,817 in Farmington Hills, MI, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,266 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,094 in Farmington Hills, MI, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 25% more than Farmington Hills, MI, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Farmington Hills, MI sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Farmington Hills, MI by 84%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.26 $20.26

$20.32 $20.32

-0.30%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.8 $88.8

$60.3 $60.3

47.30%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.16 $13.16

$10.40 $10.40

26.54%

Cappuccino

$5.77 $5.77

$5.10 $5.10

13.14%

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

$2.63 $2.63

$2.12 $2.12

24.06%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.34 $2.34

$1.95 $1.95

20.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.06 $7.06

$5.12 $5.12

37.89%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.18 $9.18

$6.01 $6.01

52.75%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 $1.30

$0.72 $0.72

80.56%

White Bread (500g)

$4.05 $4.05

$2.15 $2.15

88.37%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.69 $5.69

$4.61 $4.61

23.43%

Eggs

$4.85 $4.85

$2.83 $2.83

71.38%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$9.61 $9.61

56.92%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.87 $14.87

$11.61 $11.61

28.08%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$13.29 $13.29

45.07%

Apples (1kg)

$5.68 $5.68

$5.35 $5.35

6.17%

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.06 $1.06

82.08%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.10 $4.10

$6.81 $6.81

-39.79%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.11 $5.11

$5.87 $5.87

-12.95%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$6.67 $6.67

-56.22%

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$4.67 $4.67

-40.69%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.30 $2.30

$1.93 $1.93

19.17%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.04 $3.04

$1.52 $1.52

100.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.93 $15.93

$8.98 $8.98

77.39%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.06 $15.06

$12.82 $12.82

17.47%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.02 $2.02

25.25%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$2.56 $2.56

35.94%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.53 $2.53

$3.07 $3.07

-17.59%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.8 $74.8

$66.2 $66.2

12.93%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.28 $3.28

$5.29 $5.29

-38.00%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.54 $1.54

-11.69%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.55 $22.55

$48.66 $48.66

-53.66%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$0.95 $0.95

28.42%

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

$36.1K $36.1K

$35.3K $35.3K

2.29%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$24.9K $24.9K

4.40%

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

$188 $188

$117 $117

60.44%

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

$69.0 $69.0

$36.75 $36.75

87.76%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.6 $63.6

$61.7 $61.7

3.03%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.4 $63.4

$76.2 $76.2

-16.70%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.11 $27.11

$35.64 $35.64

-23.93%

Cinema Ticket

$17.90 $17.90

$9.48 $9.48

88.82%

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

$1,526 $1,526

$1,618 $1,618

-5.69%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

$16.7K $16.7K

90.87%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.1 $62.1

$57.6 $57.6

7.85%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.4 $56.4

$21.61 $21.61

160.90%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$45.55 $45.55

121.54%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$156 $156

$148 $148

5.52%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,342 $2,342

$1,543 $1,543

51.76%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,698 $1,698

$1,292 $1,292

31.46%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,576 $4,576

$2,726 $2,726

67.86%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,806 $2,806

$2,341 $2,341

19.84%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,130 $4,130

$2,968 $2,968

39.17%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,740 $2,740

$1,708 $1,708

60.39%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,891 $4,891

$5,195 $5,195

-5.85%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.04

5.63%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 6, 2026

Last update for Farmington Hills, MI: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,342 in Chicago, IL versus $1,543 in Farmington Hills, MI. 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 6% higher in Farmington Hills, MI, 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 $60.0 in Farmington Hills, MI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $371 – making Farmington Hills, MI 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 Farmington Hills, MI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,184 in Chicago, IL, $2,541 in Farmington Hills, MI – roughly 25% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,776 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,812 in Farmington Hills, MI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Farmington Hills, MI, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these 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 mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in Chicago, IL and $60.0 in Farmington Hills, MI. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,184 in Chicago, IL and $2,541 in Farmington Hills, MI. 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 $2,541 in Farmington Hills, MI to $3,184 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Farmington Hills, MI. 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.