Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and La Porte, IN Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and La Porte, IN

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,422 in La Porte, IN, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,529 in La Porte, IN, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,635 in La Porte, IN, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 26% more than La Porte, IN, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and La Porte, IN sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, La Porte, IN by 81%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$18.20 $18.20

13.57%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$55.1 $55.1

82.46%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$8.20 $8.20

44.63%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$4.62 $4.62

19.91%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$1.48 $1.48

106.76%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.02 $1.02

143.14%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$3.40 $3.40

103.53%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$6.09 $6.09

33.50%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.80 $0.80

30.00%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$2.17 $2.17

80.18%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$4.73 $4.73

14.59%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$3.17 $3.17

41.32%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$15.32 $15.32

-5.22%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$12.24 $12.24

24.26%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$15.12 $15.12

27.31%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.14 $4.14

30.19%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.37 $1.37

23.36%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$6.28 $6.28

-31.21%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$4.29 $4.29

5.13%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.13 $2.13

20.19%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$3.94 $3.94

-31.47%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$2.52 $2.52

-4.37%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.83 $2.83

-7.42%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$7.89 $7.89

90.37%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$11.77 $11.77

24.98%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.79 $1.79

38.55%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$3.48 $3.48

6.03%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.97 $1.97

29.44%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$4.72 $4.72

-30.30%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.58 $1.58

-9.49%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$28.19 $28.19

-12.31%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.91 $0.91

19.78%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$25.1K $25.1K

26.43%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$24.8K $24.8K

6.69%

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

$183 $183

$117 $117

57.02%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$45.43 $45.43

36.10%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$56.8 $56.8

14.55%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$42.67 $42.67

78.30%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$11.19 $11.19

31.81%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$965 $965

112.99%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$20.9K $20.9K

84.51%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$25.10 $25.10

154.70%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$39.45 $39.45

30.77%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$65.4 $65.4

48.83%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$126 $126

16.84%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,600 $1,600

46.80%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,330 $1,330

18.88%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,666 $2,666

76.61%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,194 $2,194

23.76%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$2,703 $2,703

47.12%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,177 $2,177

20.91%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$7,172 $7,172

-34.14%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for La Porte, IN: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,600 in La Porte, IN. 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 52% higher in La Porte, IN, 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $55 in La Porte, IN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $387 – making La Porte, IN 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 Porte, IN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Chicago, IL, $2,422 in La Porte, IN – roughly 26% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,634 in La Porte, IN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in La Porte, IN, 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 $100 in Chicago, IL and $55.0 in La Porte, IN. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 15% 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 $3,051 in Chicago, IL and $2,422 in La Porte, IN. 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 $2,422 in La Porte, IN to $3,051 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 Porte, IN. 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.