Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and La Grange Park, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in La Grange Park, IL: $2,452 a month against $3,139 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $8,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Chicago, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$3,139
/mo nomad
La Grange Park, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$2,452
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chicago, IL and in La Grange Park, IL

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chicago, IL and in La Grange Park, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,139 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,452 in La Grange Park, IL, rent included.

  • Chicago, IL $3,139
  • La Grange Park, IL $2,452

A couple spends around $4,627 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,613 in La Grange Park, IL, rent included.

  • Chicago, IL $4,627
  • La Grange Park, IL $3,613

A family of three spends $6,115 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,773 in La Grange Park, IL, rent included.

  • Chicago, IL $6,115
  • La Grange Park, IL $4,773

Chicago, IL costs about 28% more than La Grange Park, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Chicago, IL and La Grange Park, IL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 132%, La Grange Park, IL by 81%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
La Grange Park, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.65 $20.65
$14.11 $14.11
46.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$90.2 $90.2
$75.3 $75.3
19.86%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.94 $12.94
$9.88 $9.88
30.97%
Cappuccino
$5.60 $5.60
$4.82 $4.82
16.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$2.84 $2.84
-7.04%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27 $2.27
$2.05 $2.05
10.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.98 $6.98
$5.89 $5.89
18.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.83 $8.83
$7.08 $7.08
24.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
La Grange Park, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.27 $1.27
$0.81 $0.81
56.79%
White Bread (500g)
$3.80 $3.80
$3.04 $3.04
25.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.30 $5.30
$4.37 $4.37
21.28%
Eggs
$4.76 $4.76
$3.63 $3.63
31.13%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.96 $13.96
$7.92 $7.92
76.26%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.61 $14.61
$13.65 $13.65
7.03%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.77 $18.77
$16.52 $16.52
13.62%
Apples (1kg)
$5.19 $5.19
$5.73 $5.73
-9.42%
Banana (1kg)
$1.98 $1.98
$1.49 $1.49
32.89%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.93 $3.93
$3.57 $3.57
10.08%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.96 $4.96
$3.89 $3.89
27.51%
Potato (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$1.29 $1.29
113.95%
Onion (1kg)
$2.76 $2.76
$2.58 $2.58
6.98%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.22 $2.22
$2.27 $2.27
-2.20%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.98 $2.98
$2.27 $2.27
31.28%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$14.02 $14.02
$10.56 $10.56
32.77%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.28 $15.28
$15.25 $15.25
0.20%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.58 $2.58
$1.75 $1.75
47.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.50 $3.50
$1.34 $1.34
161.19%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
La Grange Park, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.47 $2.47
$2.01 $2.01
22.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.8 $74.8
$60.4 $60.4
23.88%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$2.83 $2.83
18.02%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.43 $1.43
$1.64 $1.64
-12.80%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$24.32 $24.32
$20.82 $20.82
16.81%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.26 $1.26
$1.08 $1.08
16.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.0K $35.0K
$24.9K $24.9K
40.61%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K $26.1K
$25.6K $25.6K
1.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
La Grange Park, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$193 $193
$175 $175
9.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$68.3 $68.3
$52.6 $52.6
29.75%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.3 $61.3
$52.0 $52.0
17.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
La Grange Park, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$54.1 $54.1
$44.00 $44.00
23.00%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.92 $27.92
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$17.74 $17.74
$11.83 $11.83
49.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
La Grange Park, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,652 $1,652
$1,512 $1,512
9.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$31.1K $31.1K
$23.9K $23.9K
29.89%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
La Grange Park, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.1 $66.1
$54.9 $54.9
20.41%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.2 $51.2
$34.61 $34.61
48.05%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$100 $100
$89.3 $89.3
12.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$141 $141
$29.15 $29.15
383.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
La Grange Park, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,446 $2,446
$1,622 $1,622
50.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,678 $1,678
$1,297 $1,297
29.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,717 $4,717
$2,471 $2,471
90.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,795 $2,795
$2,186 $2,186
27.88%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,105 $4,105
$2,464 $2,464
66.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,650 $2,650
$2,593 $2,593
2.20%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
La Grange Park, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,866 $4,866
$7,237 $7,237
-32.76%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.81
6.43
5.91%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 19, 2026

Last update for La Grange Park, IL: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
$1.7K
La Grange Park, IL
$1.3K 22.7% $381
Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
$449
La Grange Park, IL
$371 17.5% $79
Eating Out
Chicago, IL
$343
La Grange Park, IL
$264 23.3% $80
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
$322
La Grange Park, IL
$280 13.1% $42
Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
$161
La Grange Park, IL
$94 42% $68
Getting Around
Chicago, IL
$95
La Grange Park, IL
$79 16.5% $16
Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
$90
La Grange Park, IL
$68 24.5% $22

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,446 in Chicago, IL versus $1,622 in La Grange Park, IL. 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 49% higher in La Grange Park, IL, 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 $90.0 in Chicago, IL versus $75.0 in La Grange Park, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $449 vs $371 – making La Grange Park, IL the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Chicago, IL
🇺🇸 La Grange Park, IL
🕒 Local time
22:57 10:57 PM
22:57 10:57 PM
Same time as Chicago, IL
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,746,388
13,475
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chicago, IL La Grange Park, IL 21 km
From you
  • Chicago, IL
  • La Grange Park, IL

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 La Grange Park, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Chicago, IL and in La Grange Park, IL compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,139 in Chicago, IL, $2,452 in La Grange Park, IL – roughly 28% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in Chicago, IL compared to La Grange Park, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,708 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,678 in La Grange Park, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Chicago, IL and La Grange Park, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in La Grange Park, IL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 21% 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.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $90.0 in Chicago, IL and $75.0 in La Grange Park, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is feasible on a $2,500 budget?
$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,139 in Chicago, IL and $2,452 in La Grange Park, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between Chicago, IL and La Grange Park, IL?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,452 in La Grange Park, IL to $3,139 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Chicago, IL or La Grange Park, IL safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Chicago, IL and La Grange Park, IL?
If budget matters most, go with La Grange Park, IL. 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.

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