Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Laurel, MD Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Laurel, MD

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,066 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,693 in Laurel, MD, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,583 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,269 in Laurel, MD, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,100 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,844 in Laurel, MD, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 14% more than Laurel, MD, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Laurel, MD sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Laurel, MD by 100%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.53 $20.53

$12.20 $12.20

68.28%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$50.9 $50.9

99.72%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.03 $12.03

$10.17 $10.17

18.29%

Cappuccino

$5.62 $5.62

$4.90 $4.90

14.69%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.05 $2.05

49.76%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.05 $2.05

18.05%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.98 $6.98

$6.46 $6.46

8.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.10 $8.10

$7.68 $7.68

5.47%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$0.99 $0.99

9.09%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$3.60 $3.60

9.72%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.52 $5.52

$7.33 $7.33

-24.69%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$3.89 $3.89

16.97%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.58 $14.58

$18.77 $18.77

-22.32%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.91 $14.91

$19.84 $19.84

-24.85%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.83 $18.83

$13.39 $13.39

40.63%

Apples (1kg)

$5.34 $5.34

$6.29 $6.29

-15.10%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$2.88 $2.88

-38.89%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$8.21 $8.21

-46.53%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$10.91 $10.91

-59.95%

Potato (1kg)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.80 $2.80

-8.93%

Onion (1kg)

$2.78 $2.78

$2.16 $2.16

28.70%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.87 $2.87

-14.29%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.95 $2.95

-9.83%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.74 $14.74

$7.87 $7.87

87.29%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$17.70 $17.70

-14.29%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.70 $1.70

44.12%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.68 $3.68

$3.78 $3.78

-2.65%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.01 $2.01

25.37%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$4.48 $4.48

-26.56%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.63 $1.63

-12.27%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.86 $24.86

$29.47 $29.47

-15.64%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.84 $0.84

29.76%

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

$31.3K $31.3K

$26.4K $26.4K

18.90%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$24.9K $24.9K

7.44%

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

$187 $187

$161 $161

16.11%

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

$62.4 $62.4

$53.2 $53.2

17.31%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.1 $67.1

$66.3 $66.3

1.24%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$42.51 $42.51

76.83%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.17 $13.17

Cinema Ticket

$15.21 $15.21

$12.99 $12.99

17.09%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$1,821 $1,821

11.96%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.3K $39.3K

$23.5K $23.5K

67.26%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$38.55 $38.55

65.91%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.6 $50.6

$29.63 $29.63

70.74%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.4 $95.4

$90.6 $90.6

5.30%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$121 $121

18.43%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,355 $2,355

$1,582 $1,582

48.84%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,613 $1,613

$1,390 $1,390

16.05%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,728 $4,728

$2,631 $2,631

79.72%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,754 $2,754

$2,989 $2,989

-7.86%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,803 $3,803

$2,195 $2,195

73.24%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,580 $2,580

$2,502 $2,502

3.13%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,738 $4,738

$5,346 $5,346

-11.38%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.55

0.76%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 14, 2026

Last update for Laurel, MD: April 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,355 in Chicago, IL versus $1,582 in Laurel, MD. 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 13% higher in Laurel, MD, 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 $102 in Chicago, IL versus $51 in Laurel, MD. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $534 in Laurel, MD – so Chicago, IL wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Laurel, MD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,066 in Chicago, IL, $2,693 in Laurel, MD – roughly 14% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,040 in Laurel, MD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Laurel, MD, 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 $102 in Chicago, IL and $51.0 in Laurel, MD. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 19% 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 $3,066 in Chicago, IL and $2,693 in Laurel, MD. 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 $2,693 in Laurel, MD to $3,066 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Laurel, MD. 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.