Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Frederick, MD Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Frederick, MD

😐 Solo nomad: Chicago, IL is 31.3% more expensive than Frederick, MD without rent, and 15.2% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Chicago, IL is 22.9% more expensive than Frederick, MD without rent, and 15.4% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Frederick, MD
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.82 $20.82
$19.64 $19.64
6.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$79.1 $79.1
26.88%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.97 $11.97
$9.66 $9.66
23.91%
Cappuccino
$5.56 $5.56
$4.72 $4.72
17.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 $3.11
$2.69 $2.69
15.61%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$2.22 $2.22
9.01%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.86 $6.86
$6.03 $6.03
13.76%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45 $8.45
$7.08 $7.08
19.35%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Frederick, MD
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$0.98 $0.98
6.12%
White Bread (500g)
$4.15 $4.15
$3.09 $3.09
34.30%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$5.43 $5.43
1.66%
Eggs
$4.65 $4.65
$3.54 $3.54
31.36%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.33 $14.33
$12.68 $12.68
13.01%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.88 $14.88
$11.11 $11.11
33.93%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.34 $19.34
$16.39 $16.39
18.00%
Apples (1kg)
$5.17 $5.17
$7.59 $7.59
-31.88%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.74 $1.74
-1.72%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$6.76 $6.76
-34.76%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$6.59 $6.59
-31.56%
Potato (1kg)
$2.53 $2.53
$3.5 $3.5
-27.71%
Onion (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$2.73 $2.73
0.37%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 $2.43
$2.3 $2.3
5.65%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$2.51 $2.51
7.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.19 $15.19
$10.68 $10.68
42.23%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.42 $16.42
$18.18 $18.18
-9.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.75 $1.75
34.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.7 $3.7
$5.1 $5.1
-27.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Frederick, MD
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 $2.53
$1.97 $1.97
28.43%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.1 $74.1
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$3.96 $3.96
-15.66%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$1.21 $1.21
17.36%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.42 $25.42
$29.36 $29.36
-13.42%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$0.82 $0.82
31.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$29.4K $29.4K
10.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$24.4K $24.4K
7.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Frederick, MD
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 $188
$114 $114
65.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7 $63.7
$48.46 $48.46
31.45%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.2 $65.2
$71 $71
-8.18%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Frederick, MD
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.7 $76.7
$43.32 $43.32
77.10%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.03 $13.03
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.93 $14.93
$14.93 $14.93
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Frederick, MD
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,063 $2,063
$1,769 $1,769
16.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$39.2K $39.2K
$24.1K $24.1K
62.61%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Frederick, MD
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.3 $64.3
$36.96 $36.96
74.00%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 $52.4
$38.96 $38.96
34.47%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.2 $95.2
$96 $96
-0.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 $145
$96.9 $96.9
49.35%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Frederick, MD
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,378 $2,378
$1,675 $1,675
41.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 $1,584
$1,484 $1,484
6.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,763 $4,763
$2,859 $2,859
66.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,815 $2,815
$2,663 $2,663
5.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,588 $3,588
$2,530 $2,530
41.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,490 $2,490
$2,133 $2,133
16.77%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Frederick, MD
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,275 $5,275
$4,894 $4,894
7.79%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.6
6.32
4.43%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

Last update for Frederick, MD: October 27, 2025

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