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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,068 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,626 in Ontario, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,648 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,222 in Ontario, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,229 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,818 in Ontario, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 17% more than Ontario, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Ontario, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Ontario, CA by 97%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.17 $20.17

$18.34 $18.34

9.98%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.5 $99.5

$80.5 $80.5

23.56%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.23 $12.23

$11.78 $11.78

3.82%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.11 $5.11

9.59%

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

$3.12 $3.12

$2.78 $2.78

12.23%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 $2.43

$2.02 $2.02

20.30%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.93 $6.93

$6.94 $6.94

-0.14%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.20 $8.20

$7.16 $7.16

14.53%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$1.11 $1.11

-2.70%

White Bread (500g)

$3.97 $3.97

$3.98 $3.98

-0.25%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.58 $5.58

$4.17 $4.17

33.81%

Eggs

$4.47 $4.47

$4.06 $4.06

10.10%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.50 $14.50

$10.45 $10.45

38.76%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$8.58 $8.58

75.76%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.34 $19.34

$14.26 $14.26

35.62%

Apples (1kg)

$5.37 $5.37

$3.46 $3.46

55.20%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.74 $1.74

1.15%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$3.99 $3.99

8.27%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.41 $4.41

$5.66 $5.66

-22.08%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$3.24 $3.24

-21.60%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.92 $2.92

-7.53%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.49 $2.49

$1.46 $1.46

70.55%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.60 $2.60

$2.18 $2.18

19.27%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.80 $14.80

$11.19 $11.19

32.26%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.18 $15.18

$16.28 $16.28

-6.76%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.91 $1.91

29.32%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.60 $3.60

$3.40 $3.40

5.88%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$1.95 $1.95

30.26%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.3 $76.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$6.48 $6.48

-49.07%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$4.45 $4.45

-68.99%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.36 $25.36

$28.92 $28.92

-12.31%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.23 $1.23

-11.38%

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

$31.6K $31.6K

$25.2K $25.2K

25.39%

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

$26.6K $26.6K

$29.2K $29.2K

-9.15%

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

$186 $186

$254 $254

-26.66%

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

$62.9 $62.9

$47.22 $47.22

33.12%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$59.5 $59.5

11.19%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.6 $77.6

$102 $102

-23.67%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.16 $13.16

Cinema Ticket

$14.74 $14.74

$14.27 $14.27

3.29%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$1,228 $1,228

66.02%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$23.4K $23.4K

70.64%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$48.20 $48.20

32.47%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$33.96 $33.96

50.68%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.2 $95.2

$86.3 $86.3

10.31%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$85.1 $85.1

69.26%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,305 $2,305

$1,864 $1,864

23.67%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,575 $1,575

$1,355 $1,355

16.25%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,688 $4,688

$2,829 $2,829

65.73%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,737 $2,737

$2,845 $2,845

-3.80%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,063 $4,063

$3,997 $3,997

1.66%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,696 $2,696

$3,587 $3,587

-24.84%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,019 $5,019

$3,624 $3,624

38.48%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.58

0.30%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 11, 2026

Last update for Ontario, CA: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,305 in Chicago, IL versus $1,864 in Ontario, 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 38% higher in Chicago, IL, 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 $81.0 in Ontario, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $369 – making Ontario, 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 Ontario, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,068 in Chicago, IL, $2,626 in Ontario, CA – roughly 17% apart. Chicago, IL 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 $3,939 in Ontario, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Ontario, CA, 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL and $81.0 in Ontario, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 21% 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 $3,068 in Chicago, IL and $2,626 in Ontario, 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 $2,626 in Ontario, CA to $3,068 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Ontario, CA. 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.