Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Norwalk, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Norwalk, CA

😐 Solo nomad: Chicago, IL is 11.8% more expensive than Norwalk, CA without rent, and 16.9% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Chicago, IL is 3.9% more expensive than Norwalk, CA without rent, and 21% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Norwalk, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.82 $20.82
$21.78 $21.78
-4.41%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$85.2 $85.2
17.77%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.97 $11.97
$11.89 $11.89
0.67%
Cappuccino
$5.56 $5.56
$4.92 $4.92
13.01%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 $3.11
$2.79 $2.79
11.47%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$2.03 $2.03
19.21%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.86 $6.86
$7.11 $7.11
-3.52%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45 $8.45
$7.09 $7.09
19.18%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Norwalk, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$1.11 $1.11
-6.31%
White Bread (500g)
$4.15 $4.15
$4.05 $4.05
2.47%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$4.23 $4.23
30.50%
Eggs
$4.65 $4.65
$6.93 $6.93
-32.90%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.33 $14.33
$10.67 $10.67
34.30%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.88 $14.88
$8.6 $8.6
73.02%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.34 $19.34
$14.63 $14.63
32.19%
Apples (1kg)
$5.17 $5.17
$3.4 $3.4
52.06%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.87 $1.87
-8.56%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$4 $4
10.25%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$4.8 $4.8
-6.04%
Potato (1kg)
$2.53 $2.53
$3.04 $3.04
-16.78%
Onion (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$2.52 $2.52
8.73%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 $2.43
$1.7 $1.7
42.94%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$2.14 $2.14
26.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.19 $15.19
$11.03 $11.03
37.72%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.42 $16.42
$9.24 $9.24
77.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$2.61 $2.61
-9.96%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.7 $3.7
$4.33 $4.33
-14.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Norwalk, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 $2.53
$1.99 $1.99
27.14%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.1 $74.1
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$3.18 $3.18
5.03%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$1.72 $1.72
-17.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.42 $25.42
$28.69 $28.69
-11.40%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$1.29 $1.29
-16.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$23.7K $23.7K
36.87%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$24.3K $24.3K
8.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Norwalk, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 $188
$186 $186
1.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7 $63.7
$67.5 $67.5
-5.66%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.2 $65.2
$60 $60
8.67%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Norwalk, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.7 $76.7
$42.28 $42.28
81.46%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.03 $13.03
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.93 $14.93
$13.73 $13.73
8.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Norwalk, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,063 $2,063
$1,192 $1,192
73.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$39.2K $39.2K
$23.6K $23.6K
65.73%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Norwalk, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.3 $64.3
$56.9 $56.9
12.96%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 $52.4
$34.29 $34.29
52.79%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.2 $95.2
$87.5 $87.5
8.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 $145
$147 $147
-1.83%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Norwalk, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,378 $2,378
$1,620 $1,620
46.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 $1,584
$1,338 $1,338
18.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,763 $4,763
$2,582 $2,582
84.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,815 $2,815
$2,256 $2,256
24.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,588 $3,588
$3,082 $3,082
16.40%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,490 $2,490
$2,326 $2,326
7.07%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Norwalk, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,275 $5,275
$6,086 $6,086
-13.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.6
6.49
1.69%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

Last update for Norwalk, CA: October 28, 2025

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