Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Port Huron, MI Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Port Huron, MI

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,134 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,587 in Port Huron, MI, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,618 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,846 in Port Huron, MI, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,101 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,104 in Port Huron, MI, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 21% more than Port Huron, MI, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Port Huron, MI sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 129%, Port Huron, MI by 89%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.56 $20.56

$20.12 $20.12

2.19%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$84.2 $84.2

$76.1 $76.1

10.73%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.56 $13.56

$14.71 $14.71

-7.82%

Cappuccino

$5.78 $5.78

$5.15 $5.15

12.23%

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

$2.72 $2.72

$2.53 $2.53

7.51%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.53 $2.53

-7.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.98 $6.98

$6.05 $6.05

15.37%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.74 $8.74

$6.87 $6.87

27.22%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 $1.30

$1.03 $1.03

26.21%

White Bread (500g)

$3.92 $3.92

$3.44 $3.44

13.95%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.70 $5.70

$4.30 $4.30

32.56%

Eggs

$4.75 $4.75

$5.34 $5.34

-11.05%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.08 $14.08

$12.59 $12.59

11.83%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.66 $14.66

$11.66 $11.66

25.73%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.96 $18.96

$16.76 $16.76

13.13%

Apples (1kg)

$4.96 $4.96

$4.89 $4.89

1.43%

Banana (1kg)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.67 $1.67

21.56%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.05 $4.05

$4.30 $4.30

-5.81%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$4.89 $4.89

3.68%

Potato (1kg)

$2.85 $2.85

$2.84 $2.84

0.35%

Onion (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$3.04 $3.04

-15.79%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.17 $2.17

13.82%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.96 $2.96

$2.27 $2.27

30.40%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.05 $16.05

$10.14 $10.14

58.28%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.16 $15.16

$15.29 $15.29

-0.85%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.00 $2.00

27.50%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.49 $3.49

$3.38 $3.38

3.25%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.98 $1.98

24.75%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.1 $76.1

$13.62 $13.62

458.96%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.17 $3.17

$2.95 $2.95

7.46%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.70 $1.70

-19.41%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.82 $19.82

$27.78 $27.78

-28.65%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$1.02 $1.02

11.76%

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

$36.8K $36.8K

$36.1K $36.1K

2.07%

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

$25.4K $25.4K

$25.5K $25.5K

-0.18%

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

$192 $192

$199 $199

-3.38%

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

$69.4 $69.4

$59.3 $59.3

16.95%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.4 $61.4

$89.8 $89.8

-31.67%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$61.4 $61.4

$59.1 $59.1

3.87%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.37 $27.37

Cinema Ticket

$17.87 $17.87

$13.72 $13.72

30.25%

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

$1,544 $1,544

$1,404 $1,404

9.97%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$30.7K $30.7K

$23.0K $23.0K

33.40%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.9 $62.9

$44.24 $44.24

42.16%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.7 $52.7

$41.80 $41.80

26.15%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.3 $98.3

$77.1 $77.1

27.49%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$150 $150

$116 $116

29.80%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,444 $2,444

$1,556 $1,556

57.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,677 $1,677

$1,292 $1,292

29.86%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,667 $4,667

$2,524 $2,524

84.92%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,720 $2,720

$2,087 $2,087

30.32%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,117 $4,117

$2,722 $2,722

51.21%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,737 $2,737

$2,406 $2,406

13.76%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,809 $4,809

$3,535 $3,535

36.04%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.12

4.25%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 15, 2026

Last update for Port Huron, MI: August 15, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,444 in Chicago, IL versus $1,556 in Port Huron, MI. 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 36% 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 $84.0 in Chicago, IL versus $76.0 in Port Huron, MI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $454 vs $404 – making Port Huron, MI 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 Port Huron, MI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,134 in Chicago, IL, $2,587 in Port Huron, MI – roughly 21% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,701 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,881 in Port Huron, MI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Port Huron, MI, 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 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 $84.0 in Chicago, IL and $76.0 in Port Huron, MI. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,134 in Chicago, IL and $2,587 in Port Huron, MI. 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 $2,587 in Port Huron, MI to $3,134 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Port Huron, MI. 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.