Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Gig Harbor, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Gig Harbor, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,286 in Gig Harbor, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,590 in Gig Harbor, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,894 in Gig Harbor, WA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 6% cheaper than Gig Harbor, WA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Gig Harbor, WA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Gig Harbor, WA by 145%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$22.63 $22.63

-7.60%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$73.9 $73.9

32.81%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$12.58 $12.58

-5.72%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.93 $5.93

-5.56%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.84 $2.84

8.10%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.28 $2.28

8.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$7.59 $7.59

-5.93%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$12.11 $12.11

-33.28%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.10 $1.10

-4.55%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$4.27 $4.27

-3.75%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$2.76 $2.76

103.26%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.89 $4.89

-7.77%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$14.63 $14.63

-2.46%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$16.29 $16.29

-8.59%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$19.11 $19.11

0.42%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$5.15 $5.15

-0.19%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.64 $1.64

7.93%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$5.05 $5.05

-13.07%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.89 $4.89

-6.75%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$3.22 $3.22

-21.12%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.73 $2.73

0.73%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.90 $1.90

27.37%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.98 $1.98

32.32%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$10.16 $10.16

46.85%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$11.93 $11.93

24.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.78 $1.78

38.20%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$1.94 $1.94

92.27%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.02 $2.02

22.77%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$61.4 $61.4

22.89%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$2.53 $2.53

25.69%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.95 $1.95

-27.18%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$30.04 $30.04

-16.98%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$1.20 $1.20

-11.67%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$36.7K $36.7K

-13.01%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.6K $25.6K

1.59%

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

$185 $185

$154 $154

19.81%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$60.0 $60.0

2.92%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$86.2 $86.2

-22.40%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$68.1 $68.1

10.37%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$18.34 $18.34

-19.79%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$2,102 $2,102

-3.90%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$30.3K $30.3K

30.17%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$54.8 $54.8

17.94%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$43.79 $43.79

19.78%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$86.5 $86.5

13.07%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$116 $116

27.30%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,873 $1,873

23.44%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,922 $1,922

-17.27%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,945 $2,945

56.45%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,677 $2,677

3.81%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$4,919 $4,919

6.06%

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: May 30, 2026

Last update for Gig Harbor, WA: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,873 in Gig Harbor, WA. 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 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $74.0 in Gig Harbor, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $430 – making Gig Harbor, WA 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 Gig Harbor, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $3,286 in Gig Harbor, WA – roughly 7% apart. Gig Harbor, WA costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,929 in Gig Harbor, WA. 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 4% cheaper in Gig Harbor, WA – 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $74.0 in Gig Harbor, WA. 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 $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $3,286 in Gig Harbor, WA. 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 $3,077 in Chicago, IL to $3,286 in Gig Harbor, WA. 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, Gig Harbor, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.