Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Long Beach, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Long Beach, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,111 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,387 in Long Beach, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,680 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,835 in Long Beach, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,249 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,283 in Long Beach, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 8% cheaper than Long Beach, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Long Beach, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Long Beach, CA by 152%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.39 $20.39

$18.31 $18.31

11.36%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$79.2 $79.2

24.02%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.07 $12.07

$14.96 $14.96

-19.32%

Cappuccino

$5.73 $5.73

$5.25 $5.25

9.14%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.91 $2.91

2.06%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.22 $2.22

11.26%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.99 $6.99

$7.44 $7.44

-6.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.21 $8.21

$8.20 $8.20

0.12%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.17 $1.17

-10.26%

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$4.25 $4.25

-4.00%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$4.41 $4.41

24.72%

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$3.70 $3.70

25.41%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$12.27 $12.27

17.36%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.20 $15.20

$12.86 $12.86

18.20%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$15.23 $15.23

26.59%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.45 $4.45

15.51%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.67 $1.67

5.39%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$4.04 $4.04

7.43%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$4.69 $4.69

-7.04%

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 $2.44

$3.08 $3.08

-20.78%

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$2.47 $2.47

12.96%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.01 $2.01

25.37%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.13 $2.13

24.88%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.90 $14.90

$10.97 $10.97

35.82%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.97 $14.97

$14.92 $14.92

0.34%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.82 $1.82

34.62%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$2.47 $2.47

43.32%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.76 $1.76

38.07%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

$69.6 $69.6

7.07%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$3.05 $3.05

8.85%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$4.41 $4.41

-68.71%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.11 $25.11

$27.58 $27.58

-8.96%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.30 $1.30

-16.15%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$25.9K $25.9K

22.86%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$26.7K $26.7K

0.45%

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

$187 $187

$160 $160

16.76%

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

$63.5 $63.5

$54.5 $54.5

16.36%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 $65.5

$57.9 $57.9

13.09%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.7 $75.7

$39.63 $39.63

90.99%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.05 $13.05

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$14.98 $14.98

-1.20%

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

$2,025 $2,025

$1,487 $1,487

36.13%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.0K $39.0K

$28.7K $28.7K

35.91%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$46.73 $46.73

37.28%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.7 $51.7

$34.40 $34.40

50.38%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 $95.6

$100 $100

-4.41%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$103 $103

40.44%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,326 $2,326

$2,359 $2,359

-1.40%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,611 $1,611

$2,049 $2,049

-21.39%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,703 $4,703

$3,713 $3,713

26.68%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,721 $2,721

$3,432 $3,432

-20.70%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,829 $3,829

$7,010 $7,010

-45.38%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,533 $2,533

$7,030 $7,030

-63.97%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,100 $5,100

$4,437 $4,437

14.94%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.39

3.29%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 7, 2026

Last update for Long Beach, CA: June 9, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,326 in Chicago, IL versus $2,359 in Long Beach, CA. 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 15% higher in Chicago, IL, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $79.0 in Long Beach, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $397 – making Long Beach, CA 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 Long Beach, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,111 in Chicago, IL, $3,387 in Long Beach, CA – roughly 9% apart. Long Beach, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,666 per month in Chicago, IL and $5,080 in Long Beach, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Interestingly, groceries are about 13% cheaper in Long Beach, CA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $79.0 in Long Beach, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,111 in Chicago, IL and $3,387 in Long Beach, CA. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Long Beach, CA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $3,111 in Chicago, IL to $3,387 in Long Beach, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Long Beach, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.