Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Lake Elsinore, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Lake Elsinore, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,727 in Lake Elsinore, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,064 in Lake Elsinore, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,401 in Lake Elsinore, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 13% more than Lake Elsinore, CA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Lake Elsinore, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Lake Elsinore, CA by 104%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$25.07 $25.07

-16.59%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$98.4 $98.4

-0.27%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$13.95 $13.95

-14.98%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.81 $5.81

-3.61%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.95 $2.95

4.07%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.23 $2.23

10.76%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$8.60 $8.60

-16.98%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$9.97 $9.97

-18.96%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.25 $1.25

-16.00%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.36 $3.36

22.32%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$5.77 $5.77

-2.77%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$7.48 $7.48

-39.71%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$12.70 $12.70

12.36%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$17.20 $17.20

-13.43%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$19.74 $19.74

-2.79%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$6.13 $6.13

-16.15%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.24 $2.24

-20.98%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.24 $4.24

3.54%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.90 $4.90

-6.94%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.23 $2.23

13.90%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.45 $2.45

12.24%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.90 $1.90

27.37%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.22 $2.22

18.02%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$8.17 $8.17

82.62%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$14.93 $14.93

-0.87%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.58 $2.58

-4.65%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.23 $3.23

15.48%

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

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.09 $3.09

2.91%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$2.11 $2.11

-32.70%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$29.50 $29.50

-15.46%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$1.25 $1.25

-15.20%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$31.7K $31.7K

0.77%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$26.5K $26.5K

-1.76%

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

$185 $185

$180 $180

2.89%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$65.7 $65.7

-5.97%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$29.26 $29.26

128.71%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$43.02 $43.02

74.73%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$17.90 $17.90

-17.82%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,801 $1,801

12.20%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$23.3K $23.3K

69.08%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$61.8 $61.8

4.50%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$45.81 $45.81

14.49%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$103 $103

-5.08%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$151 $151

-2.30%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,600 $1,600

44.56%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,353 $1,353

17.55%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,667 $2,667

72.78%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,202 $2,202

26.21%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,670 $2,670

46.87%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,348 $2,348

11.29%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.49

1.69%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Lake Elsinore, CA: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,600 in Lake Elsinore, CA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $98.0 in Lake Elsinore, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $463 – making Chicago, 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 Lake Elsinore, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,727 in Lake Elsinore, CA – roughly 13% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,091 in Lake Elsinore, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Lake Elsinore, CA, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $98.0 in Lake Elsinore, CA. 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.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,727 in Lake Elsinore, CA. 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 $2,727 in Lake Elsinore, CA to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Lake Elsinore, CA. 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.