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 $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,601 in Grand Junction, CO, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,721 in Grand Junction, CO, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,840 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 128%, Grand Junction, CO by 90%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$20.14 $20.14

-1.09%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$60.7 $60.7

45.85%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$13.79 $13.79

-6.16%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.59 $5.59

-0.89%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$2.52 $2.52

8.73%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.82 $1.82

29.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$5.87 $5.87

21.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$5.90 $5.90

47.97%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.90 $0.90

48.89%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.18 $3.18

31.13%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$6.39 $6.39

-10.33%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$4.59 $4.59

6.54%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$21.62 $21.62

-31.68%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$9.90 $9.90

50.00%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$15.30 $15.30

28.17%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$5.34 $5.34

4.31%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.47 $1.47

30.61%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$7.15 $7.15

-41.68%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$3.67 $3.67

32.43%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.62 $2.62

8.40%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.15 $2.15

30.23%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.03 $2.03

8.37%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.13 $2.13

43.66%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$10.14 $10.14

59.37%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$14.84 $14.84

-0.13%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.96 $1.96

29.08%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$4.12 $4.12

-18.69%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$3.83 $3.83

-33.42%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

$45.85 $45.85

64.82%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$2.93 $2.93

-53.58%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.92 $0.92

27.17%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$41.6K $41.6K

-13.56%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$37.0K $37.0K

-29.22%

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

$191 $191

$168 $168

13.76%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$80.5 $80.5

-15.67%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$73.1 $73.1

-15.62%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$36.18 $36.18

75.43%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

$17.26 $17.26

57.24%

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$14.90 $14.90

20.94%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,129 $1,129

34.81%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$50.1 $50.1

27.21%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$26.48 $26.48

108.65%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$81.6 $81.6

23.15%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$90.3 $90.3

69.76%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,634 $1,634

47.20%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,324 $1,324

24.81%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$2,269 $2,269

101.68%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$1,975 $1,975

40.32%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$3,244 $3,244

24.25%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$3,053 $3,053

-10.09%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$4,155 $4,155

15.61%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.33

0.79%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Grand Junction, CO: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,634 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 16% 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $61.0 in Grand Junction, CO. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $421 – 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: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,601 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 $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,902 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 10% 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $61.0 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 $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $2,601 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 $2,601 in Grand Junction, CO to $3,117 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.