Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Hermosa Beach, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Hermosa Beach, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,084 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,621 in Hermosa Beach, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,637 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,916 in Hermosa Beach, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,191 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,210 in Hermosa Beach, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 18% more than Hermosa Beach, CA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Hermosa Beach, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Hermosa Beach, CA by 96%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.81 $20.81

$22.13 $22.13

-5.96%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.6 $98.6

$101 $101

-2.14%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.90 $11.90

$11.96 $11.96

-0.50%

Cappuccino

$5.84 $5.84

$5.83 $5.83

0.17%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.78 $2.78

10.43%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.02 $2.02

16.34%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$8.63 $8.63

-20.39%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.07 $8.07

$8.45 $8.45

-4.50%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.08 $1.08

-2.78%

White Bread (500g)

$3.98 $3.98

$3.91 $3.91

1.79%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.60 $5.60

$4.17 $4.17

34.29%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$7.06 $7.06

-35.55%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.20 $14.20

$10.77 $10.77

31.85%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.90 $14.90

$8.58 $8.58

73.66%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.08 $19.08

$14.53 $14.53

31.31%

Apples (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$3.47 $3.47

53.03%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.87 $1.87

-8.56%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$3.99 $3.99

6.27%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$4.69 $4.69

-6.82%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.98 $2.98

-14.09%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.53 $2.53

10.67%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.46 $1.46

69.18%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.11 $2.11

27.96%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.95 $14.95

$11.12 $11.12

34.44%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.73 $14.73

$14.85 $14.85

-0.81%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$2.60 $2.60

-8.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 $3.57

$3.14 $3.14

13.69%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.44 $2.44

$1.96 $1.96

24.49%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.2 $75.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.17 $3.17

5.68%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.64 $1.64

-16.46%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.29 $25.29

$28.81 $28.81

-12.22%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.24 $1.24

-12.10%

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

$32.3K $32.3K

$23.7K $23.7K

36.13%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$24.2K $24.2K

8.98%

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

$188 $188

$187 $187

0.43%

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

$63.3 $63.3

$45.77 $45.77

38.21%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$69.5 $69.5

-4.69%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.6 $75.6

$42.65 $42.65

77.16%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.20 $13.20

$15.22 $15.22

-13.27%

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$16.22 $16.22

-8.75%

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

$2,097 $2,097

$1,659 $1,659

26.39%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$12.5K $12.5K

206.77%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.9 $64.9

$56.9 $56.9

13.99%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$35.33 $35.33

46.02%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.3 $96.3

$84.7 $84.7

13.69%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$146 $146

$86.5 $86.5

69.03%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,332 $2,332

$1,622 $1,622

43.77%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,579 $1,579

$1,354 $1,354

16.58%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,775 $4,775

$2,638 $2,638

81.03%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,725 $2,725

$2,257 $2,257

20.75%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,023 $4,023

$2,332 $2,332

72.51%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,684 $2,684

$2,691 $2,691

-0.26%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,981 $4,981

$7,046 $7,046

-29.30%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.49

1.69%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 20, 2026

Last update for Hermosa Beach, CA: July 22, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,332 in Chicago, IL versus $1,622 in Hermosa Beach, CA. 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 41% higher in Hermosa Beach, CA, 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $101 in Hermosa Beach, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $445 in Chicago, IL vs $376 in Hermosa Beach, CA – so Hermosa Beach, CA 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 Hermosa Beach, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,084 in Chicago, IL, $2,621 in Hermosa Beach, CA – roughly 18% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,626 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,932 in Hermosa Beach, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Hermosa Beach, CA, 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL and $101 in Hermosa Beach, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 18% 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.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,084 in Chicago, IL and $2,621 in Hermosa Beach, CA. 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 $2,621 in Hermosa Beach, CA to $3,084 in Chicago, IL. 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 Hermosa Beach, CA. 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.