Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Phoenix, AZ Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Phoenix, AZ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,111 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,814 in Phoenix, AZ, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,680 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,101 in Phoenix, AZ, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,249 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,388 in Phoenix, AZ, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 11% more than Phoenix, AZ, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Phoenix, AZ sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Phoenix, AZ by 109%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.39 $20.39

$20.32 $20.32

0.34%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$80.7 $80.7

21.73%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.07 $12.07

$11.83 $11.83

2.03%

Cappuccino

$5.73 $5.73

$5.85 $5.85

-2.05%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.64 $2.64

12.50%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.19 $2.19

12.79%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.99 $6.99

$6.01 $6.01

16.31%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.21 $8.21

$6.96 $6.96

17.96%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.90 $0.90

16.67%

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$4.28 $4.28

-4.67%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$5.19 $5.19

5.97%

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$4.70 $4.70

-1.28%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$11.91 $11.91

20.91%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.20 $15.20

$11.72 $11.72

29.69%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$13.76 $13.76

40.12%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.38 $4.38

17.35%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.48 $1.48

18.92%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$4.04 $4.04

7.43%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$5.19 $5.19

-15.99%

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 $2.44

$3.25 $3.25

-24.92%

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$2.55 $2.55

9.41%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.96 $1.96

28.57%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.26 $2.26

17.70%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.90 $14.90

$11.71 $11.71

27.24%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.97 $14.97

$14.85 $14.85

0.81%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.19 $2.19

11.87%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$4.03 $4.03

-12.16%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$2.56 $2.56

-5.08%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

$60.8 $60.8

22.50%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$3.76 $3.76

-11.70%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.34 $1.34

2.99%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.11 $25.11

$35.88 $35.88

-30.02%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.95 $0.95

14.74%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$31.3K $31.3K

1.87%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

0.10%

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

$187 $187

$252 $252

-25.65%

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

$63.5 $63.5

$75.0 $75.0

-15.41%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 $65.5

$84.8 $84.8

-22.73%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.7 $75.7

$34.33 $34.33

120.48%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.05 $13.05

$14.55 $14.55

-10.31%

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$12.10 $12.10

22.31%

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

$2,025 $2,025

$1,130 $1,130

79.15%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.0K $39.0K

$16.6K $16.6K

135.41%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$55.3 $55.3

15.94%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.7 $51.7

$41.43 $41.43

24.86%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 $95.6

$93.9 $93.9

1.85%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$120 $120

20.56%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,326 $2,326

$1,644 $1,644

41.47%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,611 $1,611

$1,377 $1,377

17.01%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,703 $4,703

$2,681 $2,681

75.46%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,721 $2,721

$2,238 $2,238

21.61%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,829 $3,829

$4,637 $4,637

-17.43%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,533 $2,533

$3,104 $3,104

-18.39%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,100 $5,100

$4,252 $4,252

19.94%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.46

2.17%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 7, 2026

Last update for Phoenix, AZ: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,326 in Chicago, IL versus $1,644 in Phoenix, AZ. 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 20% 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $81.0 in Phoenix, AZ. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $398 – making Phoenix, AZ 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 Phoenix, AZ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,111 in Chicago, IL, $2,814 in Phoenix, AZ – roughly 11% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,666 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,221 in Phoenix, AZ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Phoenix, AZ, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 13% 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $81.0 in Phoenix, AZ. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,111 in Chicago, IL and $2,814 in Phoenix, AZ. 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 $2,814 in Phoenix, AZ to $3,111 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Phoenix, AZ. 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.