Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Federal Way, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Federal Way, WA

😐 Solo nomad: Chicago, IL is 12.4% more expensive than Federal Way, WA without rent, and 9.6% cheaper with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Chicago, IL is 33.6% more expensive than Federal Way, WA without rent, and 15.9% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Federal Way, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.82 $20.82
$27.23 $27.23
-23.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$71.3 $71.3
40.79%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.97 $11.97
$12.29 $12.29
-2.60%
Cappuccino
$5.56 $5.56
$6.02 $6.02
-7.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 $3.11
$3.01 $3.01
3.32%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$2.19 $2.19
10.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.86 $6.86
$7.2 $7.2
-4.72%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45 $8.45
$6.08 $6.08
38.98%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Federal Way, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$1.11 $1.11
-6.31%
White Bread (500g)
$4.15 $4.15
$3.67 $3.67
13.08%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$4.3 $4.3
28.37%
Eggs
$4.65 $4.65
$4.88 $4.88
-4.71%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.33 $14.33
$13.21 $13.21
8.48%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.88 $14.88
$10.54 $10.54
41.18%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.34 $19.34
$17.4 $17.4
11.15%
Apples (1kg)
$5.17 $5.17
$5.04 $5.04
2.58%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.56 $1.56
9.62%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$4.32 $4.32
2.08%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$4.89 $4.89
-7.77%
Potato (1kg)
$2.53 $2.53
$3.05 $3.05
-17.05%
Onion (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$2.68 $2.68
2.24%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 $2.43
$1.95 $1.95
24.62%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$2.87 $2.87
-5.92%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.19 $15.19
$12.33 $12.33
23.20%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.42 $16.42
$15.25 $15.25
7.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.76 $1.76
33.52%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.7 $3.7
$5.15 $5.15
-28.16%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Federal Way, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 $2.53
$2.61 $2.61
-3.07%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.1 $74.1
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$2.55 $2.55
30.98%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$2.03 $2.03
-30.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.42 $25.42
$29.77 $29.77
-14.61%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$1.17 $1.17
-7.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$35.3K $35.3K
-8.20%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$25.6K $25.6K
2.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Federal Way, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 $188
$127 $127
47.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7 $63.7
$70.3 $70.3
-9.35%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.2 $65.2
$89.6 $89.6
-27.24%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Federal Way, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.7 $76.7
$12.93 $12.93
493.35%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.03 $13.03
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.93 $14.93
$11.06 $11.06
34.99%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Federal Way, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,063 $2,063
$1,471 $1,471
40.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$39.2K $39.2K
$32.1K $32.1K
21.96%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Federal Way, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.3 $64.3
$52 $52
23.70%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 $52.4
$44.97 $44.97
16.50%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.2 $95.2
$88.4 $88.4
7.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 $145
$96.4 $96.4
50.12%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Federal Way, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,378 $2,378
$2,035 $2,035
16.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 $1,584
$2,019 $2,019
-21.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,763 $4,763
$2,741 $2,741
73.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,815 $2,815
$2,425 $2,425
16.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,588 $3,588
$2,974 $2,974
20.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,490 $2,490
$2,657 $2,657
-6.28%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Federal Way, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,275 $5,275
$4,428 $4,428
19.11%
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: October 29, 2025

Last update for Federal Way, WA: October 29, 2025

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