Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Grand Junction, CO Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Grand Junction, CO

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,560 in Grand Junction, CO, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,558 in Grand Junction, CO, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,556 in Grand Junction, CO, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 20% more than Grand Junction, CO, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Chicago, IL and Grand Junction, CO sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Grand Junction, CO by 91%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$19.77 $19.77

5.77%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$59.5 $59.5

64.81%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$15.06 $15.06

-21.25%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.72 $5.72

-2.10%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.24 $2.24

37.05%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.97 $1.97

25.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$3.88 $3.88

84.02%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$6.04 $6.04

33.77%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.02 $1.02

2.94%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.54 $3.54

16.10%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.45 $4.45

26.07%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.71 $4.71

-4.25%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$16.02 $16.02

-10.92%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$10.82 $10.82

37.62%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$14.77 $14.77

29.93%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.84 $4.84

6.20%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.08 $2.08

-14.90%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.94 $4.94

-11.13%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.07 $4.07

12.04%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.99 $2.99

-15.05%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.72 $2.72

1.10%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.18 $2.18

11.01%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.32 $2.32

12.93%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$10.13 $10.13

47.29%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$14.72 $14.72

0.54%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.77 $1.77

38.98%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.81 $3.81

-2.10%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$3.66 $3.66

-32.24%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$44.17 $44.17

70.77%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.55 $3.55

-10.42%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$2.93 $2.93

-51.54%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$28.67 $28.67

-13.01%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.89 $0.89

19.10%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$32.4K $32.4K

-1.39%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$36.9K $36.9K

-29.53%

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

$185 $185

$174 $174

6.46%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$73.1 $73.1

-15.55%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$81.6 $81.6

-18.03%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$35.78 $35.78

110.09%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

$14.90 $14.90

-12.21%

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$13.79 $13.79

6.67%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,142 $1,142

76.90%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$23.3K $23.3K

68.90%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$51.5 $51.5

25.53%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$26.37 $26.37

98.90%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$91.9 $91.9

6.41%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$89.1 $89.1

65.66%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,549 $1,549

49.31%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,233 $1,233

28.96%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,001 $2,001

130.32%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$1,717 $1,717

61.86%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$3,237 $3,237

21.14%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$3,115 $3,115

-16.13%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$4,217 $4,217

23.71%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.46

2.17%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Grand Junction, CO: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,549 in Grand Junction, CO. 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 24% higher in Chicago, IL, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $60.0 in Grand Junction, CO. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $402 – making Grand Junction, 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 Grand Junction, CO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,560 in Grand Junction, CO – roughly 20% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,839 in Grand Junction, CO. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Grand Junction, CO, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 11% more in Chicago, IL, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $60.0 in Grand Junction, CO. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,560 in Grand Junction, 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 $2,560 in Grand Junction, CO to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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