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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,561 in La Grange Park, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,736 in La Grange Park, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,911 in La Grange Park, IL, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 20% more than La Grange Park, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and La Grange Park, IL sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, La Grange Park, IL by 91%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$15.17 $15.17

37.84%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$87.8 $87.8

11.74%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$9.85 $9.85

20.41%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.29 $5.29

5.86%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.97 $2.97

3.37%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.16 $2.16

14.35%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$6.10 $6.10

17.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$8.62 $8.62

-6.26%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.87 $0.87

20.69%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.32 $3.32

23.80%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.43 $4.43

26.64%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.13 $4.13

9.20%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$7.74 $7.74

84.37%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$12.69 $12.69

17.34%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$15.29 $15.29

25.51%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$5.58 $5.58

-7.89%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.48 $1.48

19.59%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$2.97 $2.97

47.81%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$3.85 $3.85

18.44%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.31 $1.31

93.89%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.20 $2.20

25.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.00 $2.00

21.00%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.73 $2.73

-4.03%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$11.19 $11.19

33.33%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$15.18 $15.18

-2.50%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.71 $1.71

43.86%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$1.41 $1.41

164.54%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.03 $2.03

22.17%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$60.1 $60.1

25.51%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$2.79 $2.79

13.98%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.64 $1.64

-13.41%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$20.97 $20.97

18.93%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.80 $0.80

32.50%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$24.1K $24.1K

32.51%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.8K $25.8K

1.02%

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

$185 $185

$171 $171

7.91%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$48.60 $48.60

27.04%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$63.6 $63.6

5.15%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$42.90 $42.90

75.22%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$10.92 $10.92

34.71%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,338 $1,338

50.95%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$24.1K $24.1K

63.20%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$45.59 $45.59

41.72%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$34.25 $34.25

53.14%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$65.7 $65.7

49.00%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$90.7 $90.7

62.68%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,614 $1,614

43.31%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,328 $1,328

19.71%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,596 $2,596

77.48%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,223 $2,223

25.00%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$3,046 $3,046

28.76%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,063 $2,063

26.62%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$5,347 $5,347

-2.43%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.52

1.23%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for La Grange Park, IL: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,614 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 2% 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $88.0 in La Grange Park, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $367 – making La Grange Park, 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 La Grange Park, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,561 in La Grange Park, IL – roughly 20% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,841 in La Grange Park, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Groceries cost about 22% 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $88.0 in La Grange Park, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,561 in La Grange Park, IL. 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 $2,561 in La Grange Park, IL to $3,077 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 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.