Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Rohnert Park, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Rohnert Park, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,184 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,593 in Rohnert Park, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,725 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,933 in Rohnert Park, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,266 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,272 in Rohnert Park, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 23% more than Rohnert Park, CA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Rohnert Park, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Rohnert Park, CA by 88%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.26 $20.26

$24.70 $24.70

-17.98%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.8 $88.8

$108 $108

-17.70%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.16 $13.16

$13.18 $13.18

-0.15%

Cappuccino

$5.77 $5.77

$5.42 $5.42

6.46%

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

$2.63 $2.63

$3.04 $3.04

-13.49%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.34 $2.34

$2.15 $2.15

8.84%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.06 $7.06

$7.87 $7.87

-10.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.18 $9.18

$9.94 $9.94

-7.65%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 $1.30

$1.52 $1.52

-14.47%

White Bread (500g)

$4.05 $4.05

$5.50 $5.50

-26.36%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.69 $5.69

$6.17 $6.17

-7.78%

Eggs

$4.85 $4.85

$8.18 $8.18

-40.71%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$15.00 $15.00

0.53%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.87 $14.87

$13.47 $13.47

10.39%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$18.73 $18.73

2.94%

Apples (1kg)

$5.68 $5.68

$4.79 $4.79

18.58%

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.50 $1.50

28.67%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.10 $4.10

$4.17 $4.17

-1.68%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.11 $5.11

$4.79 $4.79

6.68%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$3.18 $3.18

-8.18%

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$2.95 $2.95

-6.10%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.30 $2.30

$1.86 $1.86

23.66%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.04 $3.04

$2.02 $2.02

50.50%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.93 $15.93

$11.83 $11.83

34.66%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.06 $15.06

$20.29 $20.29

-25.78%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.76 $1.76

43.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$3.58 $3.58

-2.79%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.70 $1.70

48.82%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.8 $74.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.28 $3.28

$6.80 $6.80

-51.76%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.95 $1.95

-30.26%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.55 $22.55

$28.88 $28.88

-21.92%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$1.42 $1.42

-14.08%

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

$36.1K $36.1K

$36.7K $36.7K

-1.54%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$27.0K $27.0K

-3.69%

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

$188 $188

$153 $153

23.19%

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

$69.0 $69.0

$29.77 $29.77

131.78%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.6 $63.6

$51.0 $51.0

24.61%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.4 $63.4

$37.28 $37.28

70.17%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.11 $27.11

Cinema Ticket

$17.90 $17.90

$16.10 $16.10

11.18%

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

$1,526 $1,526

$1,277 $1,277

19.48%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

$42.2K $42.2K

-24.41%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.1 $62.1

$67.5 $67.5

-8.02%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.4 $56.4

$24.77 $24.77

127.61%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$76.1 $76.1

32.58%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$156 $156

$101 $101

55.06%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,342 $2,342

$1,575 $1,575

48.75%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,698 $1,698

$1,112 $1,112

52.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,576 $4,576

$2,521 $2,521

81.51%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,806 $2,806

$2,214 $2,214

26.74%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,130 $4,130

$2,800 $2,800

47.52%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,740 $2,740

$2,537 $2,537

8.00%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,891 $4,891

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.36

0.31%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 6, 2026

Last update for Rohnert Park, CA: September 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,342 in Chicago, IL versus $1,575 in Rohnert Park, CA. 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 $89.0 in Chicago, IL versus $108 in Rohnert Park, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $473 – making Chicago, IL 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 Rohnert Park, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,184 in Chicago, IL, $2,593 in Rohnert Park, CA – roughly 23% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,776 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,890 in Rohnert Park, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Rohnert Park, CA, 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 $89.0 in Chicago, IL and $108 in Rohnert Park, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 2% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,184 in Chicago, IL and $2,593 in Rohnert Park, 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 $2,593 in Rohnert Park, CA to $3,184 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Rohnert Park, CA. 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.