Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Oak Harbor, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Oak Harbor, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,389 in Oak Harbor, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,601 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,555 in Oak Harbor, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,085 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,721 in Oak Harbor, WA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 8% cheaper than Oak Harbor, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Oak Harbor, WA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 134%, Oak Harbor, WA by 154%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.18 $20.18

$21.76 $21.76

-7.26%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$69.0 $69.0

46.64%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.09 $12.09

$18.81 $18.81

-35.73%

Cappuccino

$5.75 $5.75

$7.19 $7.19

-20.03%

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

$2.98 $2.98

$2.42 $2.42

23.14%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.57 $1.57

56.69%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.04 $7.04

$7.99 $7.99

-11.89%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.27 $8.27

$6.32 $6.32

30.85%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$1.12 $1.12

-3.57%

White Bread (500g)

$4.14 $4.14

$4.21 $4.21

-1.66%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.38 $5.38

$5.96 $5.96

-9.73%

Eggs

$4.52 $4.52

$5.64 $5.64

-19.86%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.25 $14.25

$19.97 $19.97

-28.64%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.04 $15.04

$12.49 $12.49

20.42%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.84 $18.84

$19.88 $19.88

-5.23%

Apples (1kg)

$5.13 $5.13

$7.54 $7.54

-31.96%

Banana (1kg)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.30 $1.30

30.77%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$8.52 $8.52

-50.23%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.43 $4.43

$6.85 $6.85

-35.33%

Potato (1kg)

$2.57 $2.57

$3.76 $3.76

-31.65%

Onion (1kg)

$2.73 $2.73

$5.02 $5.02

-45.62%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.61 $2.61

-3.45%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.19 $2.19

19.63%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.91 $14.91

$8.47 $8.47

76.03%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.19 $15.19

$12.91 $12.91

17.66%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.65 $2.65

-7.17%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$3.95 $3.95

-5.32%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.97 $1.97

25.89%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.6 $73.6

$57.5 $57.5

28.01%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.31 $3.31

$3.43 $3.43

-3.50%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.63 $1.63

-16.56%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.06 $25.06

$29.24 $29.24

-14.30%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.22 $1.22

-13.93%

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

$32.6K $32.6K

$29.7K $29.7K

9.67%

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

$26.5K $26.5K

$25.1K $25.1K

5.52%

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

$187 $187

$386 $386

-51.50%

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

$63.6 $63.6

$63.2 $63.2

0.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.0 $66.0

$82.9 $82.9

-20.39%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.1 $77.1

$27.27 $27.27

182.76%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.92 $12.92

Cinema Ticket

$15.15 $15.15

$14.45 $14.45

4.84%

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

$2,029 $2,029

$1,317 $1,317

54.12%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.7K $38.7K

$23.0K $23.0K

67.86%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.5 $63.5

$53.5 $53.5

18.77%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.1 $52.1

$37.91 $37.91

37.35%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.1 $96.1

$118 $118

-18.58%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$195 $195

-24.14%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,343 $2,343

$2,318 $2,318

1.06%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,623 $1,623

$1,586 $1,586

2.33%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,601 $4,601

$2,908 $2,908

58.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,774 $2,774

$2,088 $2,088

32.91%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,933 $3,933

$4,060 $4,060

-3.12%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,562 $2,562

$4,006 $4,006

-36.04%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,176 $5,176

$3,351 $3,351

54.45%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

-5.71%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 14, 2026

Last update for Oak Harbor, WA: June 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,343 in Chicago, IL versus $2,318 in Oak Harbor, WA. 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 54% 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 $101 in Chicago, IL versus $69.0 in Oak Harbor, WA. Groceries tell a different story – $446 in Chicago, IL vs $501 in Oak Harbor, WA – so Chicago, IL 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 Oak Harbor, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $3,389 in Oak Harbor, WA – roughly 9% apart. Oak Harbor, WA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,675 per month in Chicago, IL and $5,083 in Oak Harbor, WA. 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.

Groceries cost about 12% more in Oak Harbor, WA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $101 in Chicago, IL and $69.0 in Oak Harbor, WA. 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 $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $3,389 in Oak Harbor, WA. 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 $3,117 in Chicago, IL to $3,389 in Oak Harbor, WA. 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, Oak Harbor, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.