Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and McMinnville, OR Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and McMinnville, OR

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,393 in McMinnville, OR, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,542 in McMinnville, OR, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,691 in McMinnville, OR, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 30% more than McMinnville, OR, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and McMinnville, OR sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, McMinnville, OR by 75%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$16.06 $16.06

24.03%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$75.0 $75.0

18.07%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$10.92 $10.92

18.50%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.16 $5.16

7.36%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$2.84 $2.84

-3.52%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.12 $2.12

11.32%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$5.82 $5.82

22.34%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$5.93 $5.93

47.22%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.08 $1.08

24.07%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.97 $3.97

5.04%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$5.19 $5.19

10.40%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$3.69 $3.69

32.52%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$10.14 $10.14

45.66%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$13.92 $13.92

6.68%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$19.51 $19.51

0.51%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$3.36 $3.36

65.77%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.67 $1.67

14.97%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.79 $3.79

10.03%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$3.36 $3.36

44.64%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.17 $2.17

30.88%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.08 $2.08

34.62%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.98 $1.98

11.11%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$1.91 $1.91

60.21%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$11.15 $11.15

44.93%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$13.47 $13.47

10.02%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.75 $1.75

44.57%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.62 $3.62

-7.46%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.29 $2.29

11.35%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$4.96 $4.96

-33.47%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.34 $1.34

1.49%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$29.95 $29.95

-16.13%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.16 $1.16

0.86%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$34.2K $34.2K

5.15%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$24.1K $24.1K

8.97%

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

$191 $191

$114 $114

67.47%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$46.07 $46.07

47.43%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$55.5 $55.5

11.09%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$38.78 $38.78

63.67%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$14.06 $14.06

28.17%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,204 $1,204

26.45%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$12.1K $12.1K

157.90%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$49.59 $49.59

28.41%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$44.24 $44.24

24.89%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$93.3 $93.3

7.64%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$103 $103

49.43%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,588 $1,588

51.49%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,110 $1,110

48.95%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$2,217 $2,217

106.43%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$2,147 $2,147

29.11%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$2,523 $2,523

59.77%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$2,440 $2,440

12.51%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.07

5.11%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for McMinnville, OR: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,588 in McMinnville, OR. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $75.0 in McMinnville, OR. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $388 – making McMinnville, OR 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 McMinnville, OR: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,393 in McMinnville, OR – roughly 30% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,589 in McMinnville, OR. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $75.0 in McMinnville, OR. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 20% 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.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $2,393 in McMinnville, OR. 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 $2,393 in McMinnville, OR to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with McMinnville, OR. 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.