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 $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,321 in Long Beach, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,593 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,753 in Long Beach, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,177 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,185 in Long Beach, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 9% 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 125%, Long Beach, CA by 148%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.35 $20.35

$18.04 $18.04

12.80%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$80.2 $80.2

26.81%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.98 $11.98

$14.71 $14.71

-18.56%

Cappuccino

$5.70 $5.70

$5.08 $5.08

12.20%

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

$3.00 $3.00

$3.05 $3.05

-1.64%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.20 $2.20

11.82%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$7.41 $7.41

-7.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.09 $8.09

$7.96 $7.96

1.63%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$1.13 $1.13

-8.85%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$4.11 $4.11

-3.89%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$4.35 $4.35

24.60%

Eggs

$4.50 $4.50

$3.82 $3.82

17.80%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$12.36 $12.36

17.56%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$12.60 $12.60

18.17%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.98 $18.98

$15.15 $15.15

25.28%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.59 $4.59

17.43%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.65 $1.65

7.27%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.35 $4.35

$3.89 $3.89

11.83%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.53 $4.53

$4.77 $4.77

-5.03%

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.98 $2.98

-15.10%

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$2.43 $2.43

15.64%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 $2.51

$2.09 $2.09

20.10%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.17 $2.17

23.04%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.88 $14.88

$10.95 $10.95

35.89%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.22 $15.22

$14.78 $14.78

2.98%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.74 $1.74

41.38%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.53 $3.53

$2.53 $2.53

39.53%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.78 $1.78

43.82%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.3 $74.3

$69.2 $69.2

7.31%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.19 $3.19

$2.96 $2.96

7.77%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 $1.41

$4.23 $4.23

-66.67%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.49 $25.49

$27.93 $27.93

-8.74%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.24 $1.24

-16.13%

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

$32.2K $32.2K

$25.4K $25.4K

26.95%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$26.7K $26.7K

0.27%

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

$184 $184

$155 $155

18.82%

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

$63.1 $63.1

$53.2 $53.2

18.58%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.4 $66.4

$58.1 $58.1

14.22%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.9 $75.9

$39.66 $39.66

91.40%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.06 $13.06

Cinema Ticket

$15.25 $15.25

$14.88 $14.88

2.49%

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

$2,090 $2,090

$1,526 $1,526

36.98%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.2K $39.2K

$28.3K $28.3K

38.54%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$48.36 $48.36

32.75%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.0 $51.0

$34.20 $34.20

49.12%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.2 $97.2

$98.9 $98.9

-1.71%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 $149

$101 $101

47.24%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,341 $2,341

$2,380 $2,380

-1.65%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,572 $1,572

$2,123 $2,123

-25.96%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,741 $4,741

$3,618 $3,618

31.05%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,819 $2,819

$3,317 $3,317

-15.00%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,900 $3,900

$7,099 $7,099

-45.07%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,638 $2,638

$6,832 $6,832

-61.38%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,769 $4,769

$4,352 $4,352

9.57%

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: April 25, 2026

Last update for Long Beach, CA: April 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,341 in Chicago, IL versus $2,380 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 10% 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 $102 in Chicago, IL versus $80.0 in Long Beach, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $394 – 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: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $3,321 in Long Beach, CA – roughly 10% apart. Long Beach, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,982 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 $102 in Chicago, IL and $80.0 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 $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $3,321 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 $3,009 in Chicago, IL to $3,321 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.