Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Golden, CO Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Golden, CO

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,106 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,489 in Golden, CO, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,187 in Golden, CO, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,092 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,885 in Golden, CO, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 11% cheaper than Golden, CO, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Golden, CO sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Golden, CO by 154%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.86 $19.86

$20.30 $20.30

-2.17%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.3 $88.3

$66.9 $66.9

32.03%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.23 $13.23

$12.08 $12.08

9.52%

Cappuccino

$5.86 $5.86

$5.41 $5.41

8.32%

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

$2.61 $2.61

$2.67 $2.67

-2.25%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

$2.04 $2.04

13.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.03 $7.03

$5.85 $5.85

20.17%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.25 $9.25

$6.96 $6.96

32.90%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.96 $0.96

39.58%

White Bread (500g)

$4.19 $4.19

$3.21 $3.21

30.53%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$4.30 $4.30

27.91%

Eggs

$4.71 $4.71

$2.95 $2.95

59.66%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.72 $14.72

$14.89 $14.89

-1.14%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$13.26 $13.26

9.58%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.69 $19.69

$17.48 $17.48

12.64%

Apples (1kg)

$5.64 $5.64

$5.41 $5.41

4.25%

Banana (1kg)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.32 $1.32

49.24%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$4.51 $4.51

-10.42%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$4.61 $4.61

9.98%

Potato (1kg)

$2.94 $2.94

$2.49 $2.49

18.07%

Onion (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$2.60 $2.60

12.31%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.31 $2.31

-1.30%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.12 $3.12

$1.93 $1.93

61.66%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.19 $16.19

$10.52 $10.52

53.90%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$18.82 $18.82

-19.39%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$3.28 $3.28

-18.60%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$4.56 $4.56

-23.68%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.64 $2.64

-3.79%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 $3.16

$3.60 $3.60

-12.22%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.38 $1.38

-0.72%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.66 $22.66

$25.28 $25.28

-10.36%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$1.01 $1.01

18.81%

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

$37.0K $37.0K

$25.1K $25.1K

47.58%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.1K $25.1K

3.61%

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

$190 $190

$196 $196

-3.36%

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

$68.5 $68.5

$95.9 $95.9

-28.56%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.1 $61.1

$69.7 $69.7

-12.44%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 $63.8

$59.4 $59.4

7.43%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$18.28 $18.28

$15.15 $15.15

20.66%

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

$1,525 $1,525

$1,486 $1,486

2.57%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.0K $32.0K

$24.8K $24.8K

29.08%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$59.5 $59.5

7.54%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.4 $54.4

$24.72 $24.72

120.06%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$83.3 $83.3

20.77%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$102 $102

50.53%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,421 $2,421

$2,228 $2,228

8.69%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,690 $1,690

$2,087 $2,087

-19.02%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,584 $4,584

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,782 $2,782

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,170 $4,170

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,739 $2,739

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,777 $4,777

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.14

3.91%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Last update for Golden, CO: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,421 in Chicago, IL versus $2,228 in Golden, CO. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $67.0 in Golden, CO. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $418 – making Golden, CO 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 Golden, CO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,106 in Chicago, IL, $3,489 in Golden, CO – roughly 12% apart. Golden, CO costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,659 per month in Chicago, IL and $5,233 in Golden, CO. 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $67.0 in Golden, CO. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 11% cheaper in Golden, CO – 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 $3,106 in Chicago, IL and $3,489 in Golden, CO. 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 $3,106 in Chicago, IL to $3,489 in Golden, CO. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

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