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 $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,202 in Lehi, UT, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,577 in Lehi, UT, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,952 in Lehi, UT, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 42% more than Lehi, UT, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Lehi, UT sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Lehi, UT by 61%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$15.44 $15.44

29.02%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$60.3 $60.3

46.85%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$10.15 $10.15

27.49%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$4.44 $4.44

24.77%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$1.88 $1.88

45.74%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.65 $1.65

43.03%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$3.94 $3.94

80.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$4.63 $4.63

88.55%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.87 $0.87

54.02%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.80 $3.80

9.74%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$2.84 $2.84

101.76%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$4.23 $4.23

15.60%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$12.09 $12.09

22.17%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$11.41 $11.41

30.15%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$17.00 $17.00

15.35%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$4.27 $4.27

30.44%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.47 $1.47

30.61%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.58 $3.58

16.48%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$3.75 $3.75

29.60%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$1.57 $1.57

80.89%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.32 $2.32

20.69%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.88 $1.88

17.02%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$1.95 $1.95

56.92%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$9.96 $9.96

62.25%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$15.02 $15.02

-1.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.68 $2.68

-5.60%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.45 $3.45

-2.90%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.54 $2.54

0.39%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

$170 $170

-55.65%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$2.48 $2.48

33.06%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$2.23 $2.23

-39.01%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$25.15 $25.15

-0.12%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.95 $0.95

23.16%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$36.1K $36.1K

-0.42%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.8K $25.8K

1.66%

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

$191 $191

$162 $162

18.28%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$49.14 $49.14

38.22%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$80.0 $80.0

-22.85%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$44.52 $44.52

42.57%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

$30.50 $30.50

-11.02%

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$11.04 $11.04

63.22%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,144 $1,144

33.00%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$20.9K $20.9K

49.95%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$71.4 $71.4

-10.79%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$39.50 $39.50

39.87%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$113 $113

-10.74%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$106 $106

44.05%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,320 $1,320

82.20%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$905 $905

82.54%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$2,439 $2,439

87.64%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$2,188 $2,188

26.66%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$2,819 $2,819

43.02%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$2,850 $2,850

-3.67%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$5,082 $5,082

-5.46%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.04

5.63%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Lehi, UT: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,320 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 6% 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $60.0 in Lehi, UT. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $373 – 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: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,202 in Lehi, UT – roughly 42% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,303 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 24% 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 $88.0 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.

A $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Lehi, UT, where all-in costs run around $2,202, than in Chicago, IL at $3,117. In Lehi, UT it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,202 in Lehi, UT to $3,117 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.