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 $3,066 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,402 in Gig Harbor, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,583 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,607 in Gig Harbor, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,100 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,813 in Gig Harbor, WA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 10% 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 128%, Gig Harbor, WA by 153%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.53 $20.53

$22.35 $22.35

-8.14%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$71.2 $71.2

42.84%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.03 $12.03

$12.37 $12.37

-2.75%

Cappuccino

$5.62 $5.62

$6.11 $6.11

-8.02%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.85 $2.85

7.72%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.18 $2.18

11.01%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.98 $6.98

$7.44 $7.44

-6.18%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.10 $8.10

$11.92 $11.92

-32.05%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$1.12 $1.12

-3.57%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$4.29 $4.29

-7.93%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.52 $5.52

$2.84 $2.84

94.37%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$4.92 $4.92

-7.52%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.58 $14.58

$15.14 $15.14

-3.70%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.91 $14.91

$16.34 $16.34

-8.75%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.83 $18.83

$19.51 $19.51

-3.49%

Apples (1kg)

$5.34 $5.34

$5.11 $5.11

4.50%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.68 $1.68

4.76%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.98 $4.98

-11.85%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$5.01 $5.01

-12.77%

Potato (1kg)

$2.55 $2.55

$3.34 $3.34

-23.65%

Onion (1kg)

$2.78 $2.78

$2.87 $2.87

-3.14%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.91 $1.91

28.80%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.04 $2.04

30.39%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.74 $14.74

$10.15 $10.15

45.22%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$18.30 $18.30

-17.10%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.77 $1.77

38.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.68 $3.68

$1.95 $1.95

88.72%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.02 $2.02

24.75%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

$62.1 $62.1

20.09%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.56 $2.56

28.52%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.93 $1.93

-25.91%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.86 $24.86

$30.50 $30.50

-18.49%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.15 $1.15

-5.22%

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

$31.3K $31.3K

$36.4K $36.4K

-13.97%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$26.0K $26.0K

2.88%

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

$187 $187

$154 $154

21.59%

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

$62.4 $62.4

$60.1 $60.1

3.85%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.1 $67.1

$86.2 $86.2

-22.15%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$68.3 $68.3

10.14%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.17 $13.17

Cinema Ticket

$15.21 $15.21

$17.67 $17.67

-13.92%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$2,107 $2,107

-3.24%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.3K $39.3K

$30.1K $30.1K

30.50%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$54.5 $54.5

17.42%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.6 $50.6

$44.66 $44.66

13.28%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.4 $95.4

$88.1 $88.1

8.25%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$115 $115

24.90%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,355 $2,355

$1,824 $1,824

29.12%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,613 $1,613

$1,877 $1,877

-14.06%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,728 $4,728

$2,976 $2,976

58.87%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,754 $2,754

$2,582 $2,582

6.67%

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

$5,022 $5,022

-5.65%

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 Gig Harbor, WA: April 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,355 in Chicago, IL versus $1,824 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 Gig Harbor, WA, 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 $102 in Chicago, IL versus $71 in Gig Harbor, WA. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $449 in Gig Harbor, WA – so Chicago, IL wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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: $3,066 in Chicago, IL, $3,402 in Gig Harbor, WA – roughly 11% apart. Gig Harbor, WA costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL and $5,103 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.

Groceries cost about 0% more in Gig Harbor, WA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $102 in Chicago, IL and $71.0 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 $3,066 in Chicago, IL and $3,402 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 $3,066 in Chicago, IL to $3,402 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.