Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Richland, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Richland, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,068 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,770 in Richland, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,648 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,765 in Richland, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,229 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,761 in Richland, WA, rent included.

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

Both Chicago, IL and Richland, WA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Richland, WA by 107%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.17 $20.17

$19.84 $19.84

1.66%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.5 $99.5

$70.3 $70.3

41.57%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.23 $12.23

$12.02 $12.02

1.75%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.77 $4.77

17.40%

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

$3.12 $3.12

$2.01 $2.01

55.22%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.88 $1.88

29.26%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.93 $6.93

$6.86 $6.86

1.02%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.20 $8.20

$6.08 $6.08

34.87%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$1.04 $1.04

3.85%

White Bread (500g)

$3.97 $3.97

$3.06 $3.06

29.74%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.58 $5.58

$1.71 $1.71

226.32%

Eggs

$4.47 $4.47

$4.65 $4.65

-3.87%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.50 $14.50

$9.02 $9.02

60.75%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$6.47 $6.47

133.08%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.34 $19.34

$12.25 $12.25

57.88%

Apples (1kg)

$5.37 $5.37

$5.22 $5.22

2.87%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.55 $1.55

13.55%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$1.56 $1.56

176.92%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.41 $4.41

$3.35 $3.35

31.64%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.89 $2.89

-12.11%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.07 $2.07

30.43%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.49 $2.49

$2.34 $2.34

6.41%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.60 $2.60

$2.24 $2.24

16.07%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.80 $14.80

$11.07 $11.07

33.69%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.18 $15.18

$15.27 $15.27

-0.59%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.70 $1.70

45.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.60 $3.60

$4.60 $4.60

-21.74%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.21 $2.21

14.93%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.3 $76.3

$19.71 $19.71

286.96%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$3.69 $3.69

-10.57%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.94 $1.94

-28.87%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.36 $25.36

$35.43 $35.43

-28.42%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.02 $1.02

6.86%

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

$31.6K $31.6K

$33.1K $33.1K

-4.29%

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

$26.6K $26.6K

$25.3K $25.3K

4.94%

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

$186 $186

$216 $216

-14.00%

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

$62.9 $62.9

$43.38 $43.38

44.91%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$62.6 $62.6

5.79%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.6 $77.6

$68.7 $68.7

13.05%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.16 $13.16

Cinema Ticket

$14.74 $14.74

$13.23 $13.23

11.41%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$1,420 $1,420

43.59%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$18.7K $18.7K

113.06%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$53.8 $53.8

18.68%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$42.56 $42.56

20.23%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.2 $95.2

$83.0 $83.0

14.67%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$110 $110

30.88%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,305 $2,305

$1,744 $1,744

32.16%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,575 $1,575

$1,587 $1,587

-0.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,688 $4,688

$1,904 $1,904

146.29%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,737 $2,737

$2,089 $2,089

31.01%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,063 $4,063

$2,807 $2,807

44.77%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,696 $2,696

$2,802 $2,802

-3.79%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,019 $5,019

$5,642 $5,642

-11.03%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.41

2.96%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 11, 2026

Last update for Richland, WA: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,305 in Chicago, IL versus $1,744 in Richland, WA. 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 12% higher in Richland, WA, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $70.0 in Richland, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $318 – making Richland, WA 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 Richland, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,068 in Chicago, IL, $2,770 in Richland, WA – roughly 11% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,602 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,155 in Richland, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 41% 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL and $70.0 in Richland, WA. 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 $3,068 in Chicago, IL and $2,770 in Richland, WA. 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 $2,770 in Richland, WA to $3,068 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Richland, WA. 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.