Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Leesburg, VA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Leesburg, VA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,649 in Leesburg, VA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,593 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,909 in Leesburg, VA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,177 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,168 in Leesburg, VA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 14% more than Leesburg, VA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Leesburg, VA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 125%, Leesburg, VA by 98%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.35 $20.35

$12.79 $12.79

59.11%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$61.8 $61.8

64.60%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.98 $11.98

$7.95 $7.95

50.69%

Cappuccino

$5.70 $5.70

$5.35 $5.35

6.54%

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

$3.00 $3.00

$2.05 $2.05

46.34%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.60 $2.60

-5.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$6.09 $6.09

12.81%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.09 $8.09

$7.55 $7.55

7.15%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$1.10 $1.10

-6.36%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$2.04 $2.04

93.63%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$7.20 $7.20

-24.72%

Eggs

$4.50 $4.50

$6.30 $6.30

-28.57%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$19.13 $19.13

-24.05%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$13.11 $13.11

13.58%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.98 $18.98

$13.43 $13.43

41.33%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$6.42 $6.42

-16.04%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.51 $1.51

17.22%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.35 $4.35

$7.87 $7.87

-44.73%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.53 $4.53

$11.18 $11.18

-59.48%

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$4.83 $4.83

-47.62%

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$3.64 $3.64

-22.80%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 $2.51

$2.89 $2.89

-13.15%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$3.09 $3.09

-13.59%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.88 $14.88

$7.79 $7.79

91.01%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.22 $15.22

$17.85 $17.85

-14.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.78 $1.78

38.20%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.53 $3.53

$3.81 $3.81

-7.35%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.56 $2.56

$6.10 $6.10

-58.03%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.3 $74.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.19 $3.19

$4.59 $4.59

-30.50%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.35 $1.35

4.44%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.49 $25.49

$29.21 $29.21

-12.74%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.89 $0.89

16.85%

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

$32.2K $32.2K

$26.2K $26.2K

23.14%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$24.3K $24.3K

10.30%

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

$184 $184

$214 $214

-13.94%

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

$63.1 $63.1

$53.2 $53.2

18.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.4 $66.4

$68.0 $68.0

-2.30%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.9 $75.9

$43.07 $43.07

76.25%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.06 $13.06

$32.44 $32.44

-59.74%

Cinema Ticket

$15.25 $15.25

$14.94 $14.94

2.07%

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

$2,090 $2,090

$1,860 $1,860

12.41%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.2K $39.2K

$25.0K $25.0K

57.16%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$47.82 $47.82

34.25%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.0 $51.0

$49.18 $49.18

3.70%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.2 $97.2

$100.0 $100.0

-2.79%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 $149

$109 $109

36.60%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,341 $2,341

$1,593 $1,593

46.95%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,572 $1,572

$1,325 $1,325

18.64%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,741 $4,741

$2,890 $2,890

64.02%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,819 $2,819

$2,186 $2,186

28.95%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,900 $3,900

$3,975 $3,975

-1.89%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,638 $2,638

$2,968 $2,968

-11.10%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,769 $4,769

$6,610 $6,610

-27.86%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.57

0.46%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 25, 2026

Last update for Leesburg, VA: April 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,341 in Chicago, IL versus $1,593 in Leesburg, VA. 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 39% higher in Leesburg, VA, 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 $62.0 in Leesburg, VA. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $500 in Leesburg, VA – 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 Leesburg, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $2,649 in Leesburg, VA – roughly 14% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,974 in Leesburg, VA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Leesburg, VA, 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 $62.0 in Leesburg, VA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 12% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $2,649 in Leesburg, VA. 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 $2,649 in Leesburg, VA to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Leesburg, VA. 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.