Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Lehi, UT Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Lehi, UT

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,068 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,189 in Lehi, UT, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,648 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,331 in Lehi, UT, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,229 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,474 in Lehi, UT, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 40% more than Lehi, UT, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Lehi, UT sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Lehi, UT by 64%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.17 $20.17

$15.17 $15.17

32.96%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.5 $99.5

$60.3 $60.3

65.03%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.23 $12.23

$11.13 $11.13

9.88%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.29 $4.29

30.54%

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

$3.12 $3.12

$1.79 $1.79

74.30%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.62 $1.62

50.00%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.93 $6.93

$4.01 $4.01

72.82%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.20 $8.20

$4.57 $4.57

79.43%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$0.94 $0.94

14.89%

White Bread (500g)

$3.97 $3.97

$3.36 $3.36

18.15%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.58 $5.58

$3.77 $3.77

48.01%

Eggs

$4.47 $4.47

$4.34 $4.34

3.00%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.50 $14.50

$9.37 $9.37

54.75%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$10.44 $10.44

44.44%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.34 $19.34

$16.71 $16.71

15.74%

Apples (1kg)

$5.37 $5.37

$5.25 $5.25

2.29%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$2.10 $2.10

-16.19%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$3.61 $3.61

19.67%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.41 $4.41

$3.90 $3.90

13.08%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.73 $1.73

46.82%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$1.96 $1.96

37.76%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.49 $2.49

$1.84 $1.84

35.33%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.60 $2.60

$1.51 $1.51

72.19%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.80 $14.80

$9.09 $9.09

62.82%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.18 $15.18

$15.47 $15.47

-1.87%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.91 $1.91

29.32%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.60 $3.60

$2.37 $2.37

51.90%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.57 $2.57

-1.17%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.3 $76.3

$171 $171

-55.32%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$2.48 $2.48

33.06%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.39 $1.39

-0.72%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.36 $25.36

$24.93 $24.93

1.72%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.94 $0.94

15.96%

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

$31.6K $31.6K

$25.3K $25.3K

24.94%

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

$26.6K $26.6K

$26.0K $26.0K

2.27%

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

$186 $186

$162 $162

15.06%

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

$62.9 $62.9

$68.2 $68.2

-7.87%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$63.4 $63.4

4.37%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.6 $77.6

$45.08 $45.08

72.18%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.16 $13.16

Cinema Ticket

$14.74 $14.74

$11.37 $11.37

29.64%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$745 $745

173.59%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$18.2K $18.2K

118.88%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$59.0 $59.0

8.17%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$39.55 $39.55

29.38%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.2 $95.2

$105 $105

-9.21%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$88.8 $88.8

62.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,305 $2,305

$1,303 $1,303

76.93%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,575 $1,575

$903 $903

74.44%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,688 $4,688

$2,401 $2,401

95.25%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,737 $2,737

$1,673 $1,673

63.60%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,063 $4,063

$2,854 $2,854

42.38%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,696 $2,696

$2,768 $2,768

-2.60%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,019 $5,019

$5,197 $5,197

-3.42%

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: July 11, 2026

Last update for Lehi, UT: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,305 in Chicago, IL versus $1,303 in Lehi, UT. 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 4% higher in Lehi, UT, 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $60.0 in Lehi, UT. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $359 – making Lehi, UT 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 Lehi, UT: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,068 in Chicago, IL, $2,189 in Lehi, UT – roughly 40% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,602 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,284 in Lehi, UT. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Lehi, UT, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 25% 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $99.0 in Chicago, IL and $60.0 in Lehi, UT. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,068 in Chicago, IL and $2,189 in Lehi, UT. 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 $2,189 in Lehi, UT to $3,068 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 Lehi, UT. 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.