Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Fontana, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Fontana, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,282 in Fontana, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,727 in Fontana, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,171 in Fontana, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 5% cheaper than Fontana, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Fontana, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Fontana, CA by 140%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$10.16 $10.16

96.06%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$45.75 $45.75

93.42%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$9.94 $9.94

30.18%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.08 $5.08

9.06%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$3.60 $3.60

-23.89%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$3.07 $3.07

-23.13%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$5.08 $5.08

40.16%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$6.85 $6.85

27.45%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.08 $1.08

24.07%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.97 $3.97

5.04%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$4.13 $4.13

38.74%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$4.94 $4.94

-1.01%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$13.03 $13.03

13.35%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$7.56 $7.56

96.43%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$12.19 $12.19

60.87%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$1.74 $1.74

220.11%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$2.12 $2.12

-9.43%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$2.16 $2.16

93.06%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$2.22 $2.22

118.92%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$1.72 $1.72

65.12%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$1.93 $1.93

45.08%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$0.95 $0.95

131.58%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$1.00 $1.00

206.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$11.52 $11.52

40.28%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$15.80 $15.80

-6.20%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.18 $2.18

16.06%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$4.48 $4.48

-25.22%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

$44.44 $44.44

70.05%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$2.94 $2.94

12.24%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$2.44 $2.44

-44.26%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$60.1 $60.1

-58.20%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.29 $1.29

-9.30%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$36.4K $36.4K

-1.20%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

0.21%

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

$191 $191

$255 $255

-25.10%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$74.4 $74.4

-8.69%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$45.32 $45.32

36.12%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$4.93 $4.93

265.52%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,399 $1,399

8.78%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$37.2K $37.2K

-15.78%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$86.8 $86.8

-26.61%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$46.29 $46.29

19.36%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$80.7 $80.7

24.42%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$130 $130

17.70%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$2,039 $2,039

17.98%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$2,119 $2,119

-22.01%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$3,145 $3,145

45.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$3,784 $3,784

-26.77%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$5,064 $5,064

-5.13%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.24

2.24%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Fontana, CA: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $2,039 in Fontana, CA. 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 Fontana, CA, 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $46.00 in Fontana, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $318 – making Fontana, CA 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 Fontana, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Fontana, CA costs about 5% more than Chicago, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,924 in Fontana, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Chicago, IL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 46% cheaper in Fontana, CA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $46.00 in Fontana, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $3,282 in Fontana, CA. 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 $3,117 in Chicago, IL to $3,282 in Fontana, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Fontana, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.