Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Highland, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Highland, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,943 in Highland, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,342 in Highland, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,741 in Highland, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 6% more than Highland, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Highland, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Highland, CA by 115%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$24.63 $24.63

-19.12%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$98.1 $98.1

-9.82%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$14.92 $14.92

-13.27%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$6.11 $6.11

-9.33%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$3.67 $3.67

-25.34%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$3.05 $3.05

-22.62%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$7.88 $7.88

-9.64%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$11.90 $11.90

-26.64%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.50 $1.50

-10.67%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$4.61 $4.61

-9.54%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$6.85 $6.85

-16.35%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$5.16 $5.16

-5.23%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$19.47 $19.47

-24.14%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$14.48 $14.48

2.56%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$21.73 $21.73

-9.76%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$8.29 $8.29

-32.81%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$3.27 $3.27

-41.28%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$6.22 $6.22

-32.96%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$9.67 $9.67

-49.74%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.82 $2.82

0.71%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$4.94 $4.94

-43.32%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$3.58 $3.58

-38.55%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.72 $2.72

12.50%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$11.49 $11.49

40.64%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$15.98 $15.98

-7.26%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.30 $2.30

10.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$4.46 $4.46

-24.89%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.99 $1.99

28.14%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

$29.69 $29.69

154.53%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$2.82 $2.82

17.02%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$2.50 $2.50

-45.60%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$59.6 $59.6

-57.82%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.44 $1.44

-18.75%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$36.4K $36.4K

-1.19%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.4K $25.4K

3.18%

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

$191 $191

$257 $257

-25.67%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$75.2 $75.2

-9.64%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$70.1 $70.1

-12.02%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$41.05 $41.05

54.62%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$13.75 $13.75

31.05%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,407 $1,407

8.15%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$37.1K $37.1K

-15.60%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$85.5 $85.5

-25.48%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$46.55 $46.55

18.69%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$80.7 $80.7

24.53%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$130 $130

17.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,685 $1,685

42.79%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,297 $1,297

27.40%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$2,208 $2,208

107.25%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$2,165 $2,165

28.00%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$3,014 $3,014

33.76%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$2,728 $2,728

0.62%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.24

2.24%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Highland, CA: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,685 in Highland, CA. 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 $98.0 in Highland, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $557 – making Chicago, IL 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 Highland, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,943 in Highland, CA – roughly 6% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,414 in Highland, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Interestingly, groceries are about 20% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $98.0 in Highland, CA. 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 $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $2,943 in Highland, 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 $2,943 in Highland, CA to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Highland, 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.