Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Issaquah, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Issaquah, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,184 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,100 in Issaquah, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,725 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,542 in Issaquah, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,266 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,984 in Issaquah, WA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 3% more than Issaquah, WA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Issaquah, WA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Issaquah, WA by 125%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.26 $20.26

$25.34 $25.34

-20.05%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.8 $88.8

$79.4 $79.4

11.76%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.16 $13.16

$11.48 $11.48

14.63%

Cappuccino

$5.77 $5.77

$4.87 $4.87

18.48%

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

$2.63 $2.63

$3.25 $3.25

-19.08%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.34 $2.34

$2.07 $2.07

13.04%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.06 $7.06

$7.16 $7.16

-1.40%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.18 $9.18

$7.34 $7.34

25.07%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 $1.30

$1.43 $1.43

-9.09%

White Bread (500g)

$4.05 $4.05

$4.79 $4.79

-15.45%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.69 $5.69

$5.71 $5.71

-0.35%

Eggs

$4.85 $4.85

$5.48 $5.48

-11.50%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$16.37 $16.37

-7.88%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.87 $14.87

$15.48 $15.48

-3.94%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$17.30 $17.30

11.45%

Apples (1kg)

$5.68 $5.68

$5.85 $5.85

-2.91%

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$2.15 $2.15

-10.23%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.10 $4.10

$4.26 $4.26

-3.76%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.11 $5.11

$4.70 $4.70

8.72%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$2.29 $2.29

27.51%

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$2.37 $2.37

16.88%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.30 $2.30

$1.96 $1.96

17.35%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.04 $3.04

$3.05 $3.05

-0.33%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.93 $15.93

$11.82 $11.82

34.77%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.06 $15.06

$19.95 $19.95

-24.51%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.77 $1.77

42.94%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$4.96 $4.96

-29.84%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.72 $2.72

-6.99%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.8 $74.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.28 $3.28

$2.58 $2.58

27.13%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.69 $1.69

-19.53%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.55 $22.55

$29.68 $29.68

-24.02%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$1.33 $1.33

-8.27%

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

$36.1K $36.1K

$37.1K $37.1K

-2.56%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.3K $25.3K

2.58%

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

$188 $188

$230 $230

-18.18%

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

$69.0 $69.0

$63.4 $63.4

8.83%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.6 $63.6

$85.1 $85.1

-25.34%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.4 $63.4

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.11 $27.11

Cinema Ticket

$17.90 $17.90

$17.30 $17.30

3.47%

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

$1,526 $1,526

$2,090 $2,090

-26.98%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

$32.6K $32.6K

-2.10%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.1 $62.1

$60.5 $60.5

2.61%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.4 $56.4

$44.98 $44.98

25.34%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$86.0 $86.0

17.41%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$156 $156

$128 $128

21.73%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,342 $2,342

$2,085 $2,085

12.36%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,698 $1,698

$1,694 $1,694

0.22%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,576 $4,576

$3,177 $3,177

44.03%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,806 $2,806

$2,765 $2,765

1.48%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,130 $4,130

$4,134 $4,134

-0.08%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,740 $2,740

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,891 $4,891

$6,505 $6,505

-24.82%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.1

4.59%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 6, 2026

Last update for Issaquah, WA: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,342 in Chicago, IL versus $2,085 in Issaquah, WA. 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 33% higher in Issaquah, WA, 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 $89.0 in Chicago, IL versus $79.0 in Issaquah, WA. Groceries tell a different story – $465 in Chicago, IL vs $483 in Issaquah, WA – so Chicago, IL 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 Issaquah, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,184 in Chicago, IL, $3,100 in Issaquah, WA – roughly 3% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,776 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,650 in Issaquah, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Issaquah, WA, 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 $89.0 in Chicago, IL and $79.0 in Issaquah, WA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 4% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,184 in Chicago, IL and $3,100 in Issaquah, WA. 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 $3,100 in Issaquah, WA to $3,184 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Issaquah, WA. 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.