Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Oregon City, OR Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Oregon City, OR

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,106 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,548 in Oregon City, OR, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,718 in Oregon City, OR, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,092 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,888 in Oregon City, OR, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 22% more than Oregon City, OR, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Oregon City, OR sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Oregon City, OR by 85%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.86 $19.86

$18.79 $18.79

5.69%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.3 $88.3

$76.4 $76.4

15.63%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.23 $13.23

$11.16 $11.16

18.55%

Cappuccino

$5.86 $5.86

$4.97 $4.97

17.91%

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

$2.61 $2.61

$2.47 $2.47

5.67%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

$1.96 $1.96

18.37%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.03 $7.03

$6.08 $6.08

15.63%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.25 $9.25

$7.11 $7.11

30.10%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.00 $1.00

34.00%

White Bread (500g)

$4.19 $4.19

$3.54 $3.54

18.36%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$4.33 $4.33

27.02%

Eggs

$4.71 $4.71

$4.20 $4.20

12.14%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.72 $14.72

$12.07 $12.07

21.96%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$11.55 $11.55

25.80%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.69 $19.69

$15.18 $15.18

29.71%

Apples (1kg)

$5.64 $5.64

$4.98 $4.98

13.25%

Banana (1kg)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.63 $1.63

20.86%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$4.27 $4.27

-5.39%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$4.77 $4.77

6.29%

Potato (1kg)

$2.94 $2.94

$2.90 $2.90

1.38%

Onion (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$2.90 $2.90

0.69%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.01 $2.01

13.43%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.12 $3.12

$2.20 $2.20

41.82%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.19 $16.19

$9.34 $9.34

73.34%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$14.08 $14.08

7.74%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$1.78 $1.78

50.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$3.38 $3.38

2.96%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.05 $2.05

23.90%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 $3.16

$3.53 $3.53

-10.48%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.66 $1.66

-17.47%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.66 $22.66

$29.34 $29.34

-22.77%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$0.88 $0.88

36.36%

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

$37.0K $37.0K

$30.2K $30.2K

22.75%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.2K $25.2K

3.48%

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

$190 $190

$184 $184

2.87%

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

$68.5 $68.5

$52.8 $52.8

29.77%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.1 $61.1

$67.2 $67.2

-9.17%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 $63.8

$43.56 $43.56

46.42%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$18.28 $18.28

$13.61 $13.61

34.31%

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

$1,525 $1,525

$1,322 $1,322

15.35%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.0K $32.0K

$23.7K $23.7K

35.30%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$50.5 $50.5

26.75%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.4 $54.4

$39.30 $39.30

38.42%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$86.4 $86.4

16.44%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$112 $112

36.42%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,421 $2,421

$1,625 $1,625

49.00%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,690 $1,690

$1,369 $1,369

23.47%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,584 $4,584

$2,652 $2,652

72.84%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,782 $2,782

$2,218 $2,218

25.43%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,170 $4,170

$2,809 $2,809

48.42%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,739 $2,739

$2,412 $2,412

13.54%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,777 $4,777

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.51

-2.00%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Last update for Oregon City, OR: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,421 in Chicago, IL versus $1,625 in Oregon City, 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 $76.0 in Oregon City, OR. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $387 – making Oregon City, 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 Oregon City, OR: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,106 in Chicago, IL, $2,548 in Oregon City, OR – roughly 22% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,659 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,822 in Oregon City, OR. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Oregon City, 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 $76.0 in Oregon City, 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.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,106 in Chicago, IL and $2,548 in Oregon City, 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 $2,548 in Oregon City, OR to $3,106 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Oregon City, 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.