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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,111 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,372 in San Rafael, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,680 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,618 in San Rafael, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,249 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,865 in San Rafael, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 29% cheaper than San Rafael, CA, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Chicago, IL and San Rafael, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, San Rafael, CA by 225%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.39 $20.39

$22.36 $22.36

-8.81%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$65.2 $65.2

50.72%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.07 $12.07

$10.94 $10.94

10.33%

Cappuccino

$5.73 $5.73

$5.75 $5.75

-0.35%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.60 $2.60

14.23%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.43 $2.43

1.65%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.99 $6.99

$6.14 $6.14

13.84%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.21 $8.21

$9.31 $9.31

-11.82%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.24 $1.24

-15.32%

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$3.94 $3.94

3.55%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$6.58 $6.58

-16.41%

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$4.69 $4.69

-1.07%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$15.43 $15.43

-6.68%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.20 $15.20

$12.89 $12.89

17.92%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$18.50 $18.50

4.22%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.92 $4.92

4.47%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$2.85 $2.85

-38.25%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$6.09 $6.09

-28.74%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$8.41 $8.41

-48.16%

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 $2.44

$3.88 $3.88

-37.11%

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$3.88 $3.88

-28.09%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.39 $2.39

5.44%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.84 $2.84

-6.34%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.90 $14.90

$10.79 $10.79

38.09%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.97 $14.97

$13.65 $13.65

9.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$2.16 $2.16

13.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$3.34 $3.34

5.99%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.52 $1.52

59.87%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

$30.18 $30.18

146.95%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$3.46 $3.46

-4.05%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.58 $1.58

-12.66%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.11 $25.11

$29.26 $29.26

-14.18%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.23 $1.23

-11.38%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$26.9K $26.9K

18.35%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$27.2K $27.2K

-1.50%

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

$187 $187

$185 $185

0.86%

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

$63.5 $63.5

$51.4 $51.4

23.47%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 $65.5

$61.5 $61.5

6.51%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.7 $75.7

$248 $248

-69.51%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.05 $13.05

$40.79 $40.79

-68.01%

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$14.54 $14.54

1.79%

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

$2,025 $2,025

$2,018 $2,018

0.34%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.0K $39.0K

$23.0K $23.0K

69.43%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$41.60 $41.60

54.21%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.7 $51.7

$38.54 $38.54

34.22%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 $95.6

$101 $101

-5.65%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$123 $123

18.04%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,326 $2,326

$3,354 $3,354

-30.65%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,611 $1,611

$2,815 $2,815

-42.78%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,703 $4,703

$4,023 $4,023

16.92%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,721 $2,721

$3,317 $3,317

-17.96%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,829 $3,829

$7,629 $7,629

-49.81%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,533 $2,533

$5,360 $5,360

-52.75%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,100 $5,100

$5,430 $5,430

-6.09%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.32

4.43%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 7, 2026

Last update for San Rafael, CA: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,326 in Chicago, IL versus $3,354 in San Rafael, 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 6% higher in San Rafael, 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 $65.0 in San Rafael, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $448 in Chicago, IL vs $479 in San Rafael, CA – so Chicago, IL 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 San Rafael, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,111 in Chicago, IL, $4,372 in San Rafael, CA – roughly 41% apart. San Rafael, CA costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,666 per month in Chicago, IL and $6,557 in San Rafael, 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.

Groceries cost about 7% more in San Rafael, CA, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $65.0 in San Rafael, 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 $3,111 in Chicago, IL and $4,372 in San Rafael, 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 $3,111 in Chicago, IL to $4,372 in San Rafael, CA. 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 Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, San Rafael, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.