Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and San Leandro, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and San Leandro, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,940 in San Leandro, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,386 in San Leandro, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,833 in San Leandro, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 5% more than San Leandro, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and San Leandro, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, San Leandro, CA by 119%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$20.38 $20.38

2.60%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$100 $100

-2.17%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$15.24 $15.24

-22.18%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.91 $5.91

-5.25%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$3.26 $3.26

-5.83%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.72 $2.72

-9.19%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$8.11 $8.11

-11.96%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$9.04 $9.04

-10.62%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.45 $1.45

-27.59%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$5.16 $5.16

-20.35%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$6.59 $6.59

-14.87%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$6.00 $6.00

-24.83%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$16.71 $16.71

-14.60%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$14.88 $14.88

0.07%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$24.10 $24.10

-20.37%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$7.33 $7.33

-29.88%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.68 $1.68

5.36%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$5.48 $5.48

-16.79%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$3.74 $3.74

-32.09%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$3.87 $3.87

-28.94%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.01 $2.01

20.40%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.77 $2.77

-5.42%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$10.15 $10.15

47.00%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$13.03 $13.03

13.58%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.12 $2.12

16.04%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$2.53 $2.53

47.43%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.99 $1.99

24.62%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$98.4 $98.4

-23.35%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$4.18 $4.18

-23.92%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.91 $1.91

-25.65%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$39.19 $39.19

-36.36%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$1.23 $1.23

-13.82%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$30.2K $30.2K

5.63%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

0.03%

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

$185 $185

$237 $237

-21.85%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$50.7 $50.7

21.78%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$67.2 $67.2

-0.46%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$49.87 $49.87

50.73%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$16.70 $16.70

-11.92%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,295 $1,295

55.98%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$37.8K $37.8K

4.30%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$50.7 $50.7

27.46%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$39.98 $39.98

31.19%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$89.8 $89.8

8.93%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$118 $118

25.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,618 $1,618

42.90%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,351 $1,351

17.73%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,678 $2,678

72.05%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,183 $2,183

27.28%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,679 $2,679

46.40%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,405 $2,405

8.64%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$5,760 $5,760

-9.43%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.36

3.77%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for San Leandro, CA: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,618 in San Leandro, 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 10% higher in San Leandro, CA, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $100 in San Leandro, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $507 – 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 San Leandro, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,940 in San Leandro, CA – roughly 5% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,411 in San Leandro, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Interestingly, groceries are about 13% cheaper in Chicago, IL – 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 San Leandro, 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 $2,940 in San Leandro, 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 $2,940 in San Leandro, CA to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with San Leandro, 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.