Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Salem, OH Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Salem, OH

😐 Solo nomad: Chicago, IL is 37.8% more expensive than Salem, OH without rent, and 26.1% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Chicago, IL is 67.7% more expensive than Salem, OH without rent, and 39.2% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Salem, OH
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.82 $20.82
$14.01 $14.01
48.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$49.35 $49.35
103.32%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.97 $11.97
$10.19 $10.19
17.47%
Cappuccino
$5.56 $5.56
$3.02 $3.02
84.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 $3.11
$2.25 $2.25
38.22%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$1.28 $1.28
89.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.86 $6.86
$4.01 $4.01
71.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45 $8.45
$4.05 $4.05
108.64%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Salem, OH
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$0.76 $0.76
36.84%
White Bread (500g)
$4.15 $4.15
$2.9 $2.9
43.10%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$4 $4
38.00%
Eggs
$4.65 $4.65
$2.66 $2.66
74.81%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.33 $14.33
$8.61 $8.61
66.43%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.88 $14.88
$11.69 $11.69
27.29%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.34 $19.34
$15.49 $15.49
24.85%
Apples (1kg)
$5.17 $5.17
$3.96 $3.96
30.56%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.85 $1.85
-7.57%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$3.37 $3.37
30.86%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$3.84 $3.84
17.45%
Potato (1kg)
$2.53 $2.53
$2.25 $2.25
12.44%
Onion (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$1.96 $1.96
39.80%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 $2.43
$2.45 $2.45
-0.82%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$2.2 $2.2
22.73%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.19 $15.19
$10.08 $10.08
50.69%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.42 $16.42
$11.56 $11.56
42.04%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$1.93 $1.93
21.76%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.7 $3.7
$3.14 $3.14
17.83%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Salem, OH
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 $2.53
$1.96 $1.96
29.08%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.1 $74.1
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$2.44 $2.44
36.89%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$1.24 $1.24
14.52%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.42 $25.42
$40.53 $40.53
-37.28%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$0.88 $0.88
22.73%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$28.8K $28.8K
12.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$25.7K $25.7K
2.15%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Salem, OH
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 $188
$201 $201
-6.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7 $63.7
$50.2 $50.2
26.89%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.2 $65.2
$74.5 $74.5
-12.48%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Salem, OH
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.7 $76.7
$43.04 $43.04
78.25%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.03 $13.03
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.93 $14.93
$11.32 $11.32
31.89%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Salem, OH
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,063 $2,063
$500 $500
312.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$39.2K $39.2K
$14.5K $14.5K
170.17%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Salem, OH
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.3 $64.3
$42.77 $42.77
50.36%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 $52.4
$39.5 $39.5
32.63%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.2 $95.2
$69.6 $69.6
36.74%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 $145
$66.8 $66.8
116.65%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Salem, OH
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,378 $2,378
$1,579 $1,579
50.56%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 $1,584
$1,368 $1,368
15.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,763 $4,763
$2,663 $2,663
78.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,815 $2,815
$2,201 $2,201
27.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,588 $3,588
$3,072 $3,072
16.79%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,490 $2,490
$2,240 $2,240
11.17%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Salem, OH
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,275 $5,275
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.6
6.51
1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

Last update for Salem, OH: October 27, 2025

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