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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,111 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,971 in Lake Forest, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,680 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,508 in Lake Forest, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,249 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,045 in Lake Forest, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 5% more than Lake Forest, CA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Lake Forest, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Lake Forest, CA by 121%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.39 $20.39

$25.24 $25.24

-19.22%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

0.08%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.07 $12.07

$9.92 $9.92

21.67%

Cappuccino

$5.73 $5.73

$5.87 $5.87

-2.39%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.61 $2.61

13.79%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.33 $2.33

6.01%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.99 $6.99

$8.37 $8.37

-16.49%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.21 $8.21

$8.60 $8.60

-4.53%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.19 $1.19

-11.76%

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$4.48 $4.48

-8.93%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$4.67 $4.67

17.77%

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$4.47 $4.47

3.80%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$12.54 $12.54

14.83%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.20 $15.20

$16.93 $16.93

-10.22%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$19.73 $19.73

-2.28%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$6.49 $6.49

-20.80%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.91 $1.91

-7.85%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$4.18 $4.18

3.83%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$5.40 $5.40

-19.26%

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 $2.44

$3.33 $3.33

-26.73%

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$2.99 $2.99

-6.69%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.83 $1.83

37.70%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.22 $2.22

19.82%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.90 $14.90

$9.54 $9.54

56.18%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.97 $14.97

$14.89 $14.89

0.54%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.69 $1.69

44.97%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$4.08 $4.08

-13.24%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$3.46 $3.46

-29.77%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$3.12 $3.12

6.41%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$2.80 $2.80

-50.71%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.11 $25.11

$29.72 $29.72

-15.51%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.23 $1.23

-11.38%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$28.1K $28.1K

13.31%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$26.2K $26.2K

2.40%

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

$187 $187

$201 $201

-6.89%

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

$63.5 $63.5

$55.2 $55.2

14.99%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 $65.5

$73.2 $73.2

-10.51%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.7 $75.7

$49.21 $49.21

53.81%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.05 $13.05

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$17.48 $17.48

-15.33%

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

$2,025 $2,025

$1,815 $1,815

11.57%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.0K $39.0K

$23.9K $23.9K

63.16%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$62.5 $62.5

2.67%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.7 $51.7

$40.45 $40.45

27.89%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 $95.6

$103 $103

-6.84%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$148 $148

-1.95%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,326 $2,326

$1,438 $1,438

61.77%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,611 $1,611

$1,477 $1,477

9.04%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,703 $4,703

$3,102 $3,102

51.62%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,721 $2,721

$2,788 $2,788

-2.40%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,829 $3,829

$8,111 $8,111

-52.79%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,533 $2,533

$7,110 $7,110

-64.38%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,100 $5,100

$7,030 $7,030

-27.46%

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: June 7, 2026

Last update for Lake Forest, CA: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,326 in Chicago, IL versus $1,438 in Lake Forest, CA. 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 38% higher in Lake Forest, CA, 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 $98.0 in Lake Forest, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $459 – 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 Forest, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,111 in Chicago, IL, $2,971 in Lake Forest, CA – roughly 5% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,666 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,457 in Lake Forest, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Lake Forest, 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 Forest, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 2% 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 $3,111 in Chicago, IL and $2,971 in Lake Forest, 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 $2,971 in Lake Forest, CA to $3,111 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 Lake Forest, 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.