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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,068 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,182 in Newport Beach, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,648 per month in Chicago, IL vs $7,188 in Newport Beach, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,229 per month in Chicago, IL vs $9,193 in Newport Beach, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 41% cheaper than Newport Beach, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Newport Beach, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Newport Beach, CA by 288%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.17 $20.17

$25.47 $25.47

-20.81%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.5 $99.5

$98.5 $98.5

0.95%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.23 $12.23

$11.82 $11.82

3.47%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.18 $5.18

8.11%

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

$3.12 $3.12

$2.63 $2.63

18.63%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 $2.43

$2.12 $2.12

14.62%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.93 $6.93

$6.85 $6.85

1.17%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.20 $8.20

$8.70 $8.70

-5.75%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$1.25 $1.25

-13.60%

White Bread (500g)

$3.97 $3.97

$5.64 $5.64

-29.61%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.58 $5.58

$4.09 $4.09

36.43%

Eggs

$4.47 $4.47

$5.32 $5.32

-15.98%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.50 $14.50

$10.60 $10.60

36.79%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$8.54 $8.54

76.58%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.34 $19.34

$14.47 $14.47

33.66%

Apples (1kg)

$5.37 $5.37

$3.52 $3.52

52.56%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.83 $1.83

-3.83%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$3.76 $3.76

14.89%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.41 $4.41

$5.47 $5.47

-19.38%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$3.21 $3.21

-20.87%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$3.09 $3.09

-12.62%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.49 $2.49

$1.40 $1.40

77.86%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.60 $2.60

$2.02 $2.02

28.71%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.80 $14.80

$9.85 $9.85

50.25%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.18 $15.18

$14.77 $14.77

2.78%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.75 $1.75

41.14%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.60 $3.60

$4.70 $4.70

-23.40%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.47 $1.47

72.79%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.3 $76.3

$96.0 $96.0

-20.54%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$4.04 $4.04

-18.32%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$2.80 $2.80

-50.71%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.36 $25.36

$31.85 $31.85

-20.38%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.29 $1.29

-15.50%

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

$31.6K $31.6K

$24.4K $24.4K

29.86%

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

$26.6K $26.6K

$23.9K $23.9K

10.95%

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

$186 $186

$198 $198

-5.82%

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

$62.9 $62.9

$53.4 $53.4

17.80%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$69.2 $69.2

-4.31%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.6 $77.6

$118 $118

-34.24%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.16 $13.16

$27.51 $27.51

-52.16%

Cinema Ticket

$14.74 $14.74

$13.86 $13.86

6.35%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$1,722 $1,722

18.38%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$36.0K $36.0K

10.60%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$55.6 $55.6

14.82%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$35.12 $35.12

45.70%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.2 $95.2

$77.1 $77.1

23.46%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$86.7 $86.7

66.16%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,305 $2,305

$4,101 $4,101

-43.79%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,575 $1,575

$3,725 $3,725

-57.71%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,688 $4,688

$7,062 $7,062

-33.62%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,737 $2,737

$5,760 $5,760

-52.48%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,063 $4,063

$16.4K $16.4K

-75.16%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,696 $2,696

$16.3K $16.3K

-83.43%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,019 $5,019

$6,194 $6,194

-18.97%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.65

-0.75%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 11, 2026

Last update for Newport Beach, CA: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,305 in Chicago, IL versus $4,101 in Newport 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 23% higher in Newport Beach, CA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $99.0 in Newport Beach, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $448 in Chicago, IL vs $389 in Newport Beach, CA – so Newport Beach, CA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Newport Beach, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,068 in Chicago, IL, $5,182 in Newport Beach, CA – roughly 69% apart. Newport Beach, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,602 per month in Chicago, IL and $7,773 in Newport 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 15% cheaper in Newport 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL and $99.0 in Newport 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 $3,068 in Chicago, IL and $5,182 in Newport Beach, CA. 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 $3,068 in Chicago, IL to $5,182 in Newport Beach, CA. 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 Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Newport Beach, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.