Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Livonia, MI Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Livonia, MI

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,625 in Livonia, MI, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,593 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,819 in Livonia, MI, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,177 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,012 in Livonia, MI, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 15% more than Livonia, MI, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Livonia, MI sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 125%, Livonia, MI by 96%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.35 $20.35

$18.09 $18.09

12.49%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$66.2 $66.2

53.56%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.98 $11.98

$9.88 $9.88

21.26%

Cappuccino

$5.70 $5.70

$4.77 $4.77

19.50%

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

$3.00 $3.00

$2.45 $2.45

22.45%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.59 $1.59

54.72%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$5.96 $5.96

15.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.09 $8.09

$7.10 $7.10

13.94%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.86 $0.86

19.77%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$3.51 $3.51

12.54%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$5.00 $5.00

8.40%

Eggs

$4.50 $4.50

$3.28 $3.28

37.20%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$12.19 $12.19

19.20%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$11.91 $11.91

25.02%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.98 $18.98

$17.95 $17.95

5.74%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$5.53 $5.53

-2.53%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.32 $1.32

34.09%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.35 $4.35

$6.30 $6.30

-30.95%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.53 $4.53

$5.74 $5.74

-21.08%

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.17 $2.17

16.59%

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$3.62 $3.62

-22.38%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 $2.51

$2.41 $2.41

4.15%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.43 $2.43

9.88%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.88 $14.88

$9.91 $9.91

50.15%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.22 $15.22

$14.71 $14.71

3.47%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.84 $1.84

33.70%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.53 $3.53

$3.49 $3.49

1.15%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.95 $1.95

31.28%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.3 $74.3

$29.64 $29.64

150.67%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.19 $3.19

$4.61 $4.61

-30.80%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.38 $1.38

2.17%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.49 $25.49

$28.47 $28.47

-10.47%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$0.85 $0.85

22.35%

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

$32.2K $32.2K

$24.4K $24.4K

31.97%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$24.1K $24.1K

10.90%

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

$184 $184

$164 $164

11.91%

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

$63.1 $63.1

$50.4 $50.4

25.19%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.4 $66.4

$53.8 $53.8

23.39%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.9 $75.9

$42.95 $42.95

76.74%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.06 $13.06

Cinema Ticket

$15.25 $15.25

$11.11 $11.11

37.26%

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

$2,090 $2,090

$1,125 $1,125

85.73%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.2K $39.2K

$21.2K $21.2K

85.58%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$64.9 $64.9

-1.14%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.0 $51.0

$31.60 $31.60

61.39%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.2 $97.2

$95.8 $95.8

1.44%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 $149

$111 $111

33.98%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,341 $2,341

$1,158 $1,158

102.14%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,572 $1,572

$1,329 $1,329

18.28%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,741 $4,741

$2,650 $2,650

78.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,819 $2,819

$2,208 $2,208

27.68%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,900 $3,900

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,638 $2,638

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,769 $4,769

$5,601 $5,601

-14.86%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 25, 2026

Last update for Livonia, MI: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,341 in Chicago, IL versus $1,158 in Livonia, MI. 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 17% higher in Livonia, MI, 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 $66.0 in Livonia, MI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $414 – making Livonia, MI 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 Livonia, MI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $2,625 in Livonia, MI – roughly 15% 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 $3,938 in Livonia, MI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 8% 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 $102 in Chicago, IL and $66.0 in Livonia, MI. 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 Livonia, MI, where all-in costs run around $2,625, than in Chicago, IL at $3,009. In Livonia, MI 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 $2,625 in Livonia, MI to $3,009 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 Livonia, MI. 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.