Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Redwood City, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Redwood City, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,048 in Redwood City, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,886 in Redwood City, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $7,725 in Redwood City, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 24% cheaper than Redwood City, CA, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Chicago, IL and Redwood City, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Redwood City, CA by 202%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$27.01 $27.01

-22.58%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$100 $100

-2.07%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$14.57 $14.57

-18.60%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.97 $4.97

12.68%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.59 $2.59

18.53%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.16 $2.16

14.35%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.98 $5.98

19.40%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.08 $7.08

14.12%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.47 $1.47

-28.57%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$2.40 $2.40

71.25%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$5.64 $5.64

-0.53%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.84 $4.84

-6.82%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$7.82 $7.82

82.48%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$14.91 $14.91

-0.13%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$16.75 $16.75

14.57%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$6.45 $6.45

-20.31%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.22 $2.22

-20.27%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$3.68 $3.68

19.29%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$3.14 $3.14

45.22%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.37 $2.37

7.17%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$3.49 $3.49

-21.20%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.21 $2.21

9.50%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.99 $2.99

-12.37%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$8.87 $8.87

68.21%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$12.11 $12.11

22.21%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.69 $1.69

45.56%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.95 $3.95

-5.57%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$7.20 $7.20

-65.56%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$74.8 $74.8

0.86%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.43 $3.43

-7.29%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.87 $1.87

-24.06%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$40.09 $40.09

-37.79%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$1.21 $1.21

-12.40%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$24.3K $24.3K

31.23%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

0.15%

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

$185 $185

$193 $193

-4.11%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$50.4 $50.4

22.48%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$72.3 $72.3

-7.38%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$179 $179

-58.03%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$14.65 $14.65

0.41%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$2,698 $2,698

-25.13%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$38.2K $38.2K

3.08%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$59.9 $59.9

7.95%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$60.3 $60.3

-13.02%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$89.3 $89.3

9.53%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$100 $100

47.33%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$4,174 $4,174

-44.60%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$2,503 $2,503

-36.48%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$5,455 $5,455

-15.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$4,227 $4,227

-34.26%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$8,032 $8,032

-35.05%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.55

0.76%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Redwood City, CA: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $4,174 in Redwood City, 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 54% higher in Redwood City, CA, 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 $100 in Redwood City, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $404 in Redwood City, CA – so Redwood City, CA 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 Redwood City, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $4,048 in Redwood City, CA – roughly 32% apart. Redwood City, CA costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $6,071 in Redwood City, CA. 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.

Interestingly, groceries are about 11% cheaper in Redwood City, CA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $100 in Redwood City, CA. 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 $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $4,048 in Redwood City, 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 $3,077 in Chicago, IL to $4,048 in Redwood City, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Redwood City, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.