Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Framingham, MA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Framingham, MA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,066 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,375 in Framingham, MA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,583 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,828 in Framingham, MA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,100 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,281 in Framingham, MA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 9% cheaper than Framingham, MA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Framingham, MA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Framingham, MA by 151%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.53 $20.53

$18.84 $18.84

8.97%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$101 $101

1.06%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.03 $12.03

$13.61 $13.61

-11.61%

Cappuccino

$5.62 $5.62

$3.74 $3.74

50.27%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.71 $2.71

13.28%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.17 $2.17

11.52%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.98 $6.98

$6.06 $6.06

15.18%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.10 $8.10

$6.69 $6.69

21.08%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$1.12 $1.12

-3.57%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$3.41 $3.41

15.84%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.52 $5.52

$3.16 $3.16

74.68%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$6.12 $6.12

-25.65%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.58 $14.58

$10.64 $10.64

37.03%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.91 $14.91

$9.84 $9.84

51.52%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.83 $18.83

$20.13 $20.13

-6.46%

Apples (1kg)

$5.34 $5.34

$3.76 $3.76

42.02%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.93 $1.93

-8.81%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$5.96 $5.96

-26.34%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$5.79 $5.79

-24.53%

Potato (1kg)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.98 $1.98

28.79%

Onion (1kg)

$2.78 $2.78

$2.76 $2.76

0.72%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.93 $2.93

-16.04%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.51 $2.51

5.98%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.74 $14.74

$10.85 $10.85

35.85%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$14.95 $14.95

1.47%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.16 $2.16

13.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.68 $3.68

$1.97 $1.97

86.80%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.41 $2.41

4.56%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$3.96 $3.96

-16.92%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.76 $1.76

-18.75%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.86 $24.86

$29.61 $29.61

-16.04%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.83 $0.83

31.33%

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

$31.3K $31.3K

$28.5K $28.5K

10.04%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$16.8K $16.8K

59.18%

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

$187 $187

$224 $224

-16.47%

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

$62.4 $62.4

$29.54 $29.54

111.10%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.1 $67.1

$64.6 $64.6

3.93%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$25.42 $25.42

195.71%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.17 $13.17

$25.14 $25.14

-47.61%

Cinema Ticket

$15.21 $15.21

$8.92 $8.92

70.52%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$1,526 $1,526

33.62%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.3K $39.3K

$23.4K $23.4K

68.26%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$35.55 $35.55

79.92%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.6 $50.6

$29.51 $29.51

71.43%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.4 $95.4

$56.7 $56.7

68.19%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$84.1 $84.1

70.72%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,355 $2,355

$2,044 $2,044

15.22%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,613 $1,613

$2,190 $2,190

-26.35%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,728 $4,728

$3,280 $3,280

44.15%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,754 $2,754

$3,431 $3,431

-19.73%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,803 $3,803

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,580 $2,580

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,738 $4,738

$4,681 $4,681

1.22%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.61

-0.15%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 14, 2026

Last update for Framingham, MA: April 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,355 in Chicago, IL versus $2,044 in Framingham, MA. 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 1% higher in Chicago, IL, 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 $102 in Chicago, IL versus $101 in Framingham, MA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $405 – making Framingham, MA 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 Framingham, MA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Framingham, MA costs about 10% more than Chicago, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL and $5,063 in Framingham, MA. 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $102 in Chicago, IL and $101 in Framingham, MA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 10% cheaper in Framingham, MA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,066 in Chicago, IL and $3,375 in Framingham, MA. 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 $3,066 in Chicago, IL to $3,375 in Framingham, MA. 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, Framingham, MA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.