Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Highlands Ranch, CO Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Highlands Ranch, CO

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,084 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,524 in Highlands Ranch, CO, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,637 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,638 in Highlands Ranch, CO, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,191 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,751 in Highlands Ranch, CO, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 22% more than Highlands Ranch, CO, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Highlands Ranch, CO sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Highlands Ranch, CO by 89%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.81 $20.81

$15.15 $15.15

37.36%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.6 $98.6

$72.0 $72.0

36.99%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.90 $11.90

$9.83 $9.83

21.06%

Cappuccino

$5.84 $5.84

$4.71 $4.71

23.99%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$1.97 $1.97

55.84%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.37 $2.37

-0.84%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$4.91 $4.91

39.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.07 $8.07

$6.15 $6.15

31.22%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

White Bread (500g)

$3.98 $3.98

$3.12 $3.12

27.56%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.60 $5.60

$3.32 $3.32

68.67%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$4.26 $4.26

6.81%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.20 $14.20

$10.83 $10.83

31.12%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.90 $14.90

$7.32 $7.32

103.55%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.08 $19.08

$16.62 $16.62

14.80%

Apples (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$3.86 $3.86

37.56%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.49 $1.49

14.77%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$4.26 $4.26

-0.47%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$4.94 $4.94

-11.54%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.32 $2.32

10.34%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$1.90 $1.90

47.37%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.40 $2.40

2.92%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.03 $2.03

33.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.95 $14.95

$9.72 $9.72

53.81%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.73 $14.73

$19.07 $19.07

-22.76%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$2.29 $2.29

3.49%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 $3.57

$2.69 $2.69

32.71%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.44 $2.44

$1.95 $1.95

25.13%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.2 $75.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.35 $3.35

$2.53 $2.53

32.41%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.44 $1.44

-4.86%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.29 $25.29

$25.44 $25.44

-0.59%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.86 $0.86

26.74%

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

$32.3K $32.3K

$27.3K $27.3K

18.19%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$26.1K $26.1K

1.22%

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

$188 $188

$164 $164

14.89%

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

$63.3 $63.3

$42.34 $42.34

49.41%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$78.0 $78.0

-15.10%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.6 $75.6

$42.56 $42.56

77.54%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.20 $13.20

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$12.05 $12.05

22.82%

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

$2,097 $2,097

$1,507 $1,507

39.13%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$12.4K $12.4K

209.90%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.9 $64.9

$58.8 $58.8

10.27%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$89.9 $89.9

-42.61%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.3 $96.3

$78.5 $78.5

22.58%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$146 $146

$107 $107

36.47%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,332 $2,332

$1,586 $1,586

47.01%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,579 $1,579

$1,344 $1,344

17.49%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,775 $4,775

$2,615 $2,615

82.59%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,725 $2,725

$2,205 $2,205

23.62%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,023 $4,023

$3,131 $3,131

28.48%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,684 $2,684

$2,601 $2,601

3.18%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,981 $4,981

$7,614 $7,614

-34.58%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.59

0.15%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 20, 2026

Last update for Highlands Ranch, CO: July 19, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,332 in Chicago, IL versus $1,586 in Highlands Ranch, 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 53% higher in Highlands Ranch, CO, 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 $72.0 in Highlands Ranch, CO. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $445 vs $361 – making Highlands Ranch, 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 Highlands Ranch, CO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,084 in Chicago, IL, $2,524 in Highlands Ranch, CO – roughly 22% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,626 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,786 in Highlands Ranch, CO. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Highlands Ranch, CO, 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 $72.0 in Highlands Ranch, CO. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 23% 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.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,084 in Chicago, IL and $2,524 in Highlands Ranch, 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 $2,524 in Highlands Ranch, CO 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 Highlands Ranch, 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.