Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Santa Ana, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Santa Ana, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,213 in Santa Ana, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,730 in Santa Ana, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,247 in Santa Ana, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 4% cheaper than Santa Ana, CA, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Chicago, IL and Santa Ana, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Santa Ana, CA by 140%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$17.68 $17.68

18.27%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$85.5 $85.5

14.83%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$14.78 $14.78

-19.76%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.04 $5.04

11.11%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.67 $2.67

14.98%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.03 $2.03

21.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$6.90 $6.90

3.48%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.09 $7.09

13.96%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.08 $1.08

-2.78%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$4.12 $4.12

-0.24%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.67 $4.67

20.13%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$6.95 $6.95

-35.11%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$12.36 $12.36

15.45%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$15.89 $15.89

-6.29%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$14.73 $14.73

30.28%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.45 $4.45

15.51%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.65 $1.65

7.27%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.05 $4.05

8.40%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$5.49 $5.49

-16.94%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$3.13 $3.13

-18.85%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.85 $2.85

-3.51%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.00 $2.00

21.00%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.18 $2.18

20.18%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$10.80 $10.80

38.15%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$16.29 $16.29

-9.15%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.98 $1.98

24.24%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.42 $3.42

9.06%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.96 $1.96

26.53%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$68.2 $68.2

10.68%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$6.77 $6.77

-53.03%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$2.79 $2.79

-49.10%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$29.49 $29.49

-15.43%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$1.25 $1.25

-15.20%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$23.4K $23.4K

36.17%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$24.1K $24.1K

7.89%

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

$185 $185

$160 $160

15.35%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$46.46 $46.46

32.89%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$58.9 $58.9

13.64%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$25.42 $25.42

195.71%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

$9.98 $9.98

31.06%

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$13.84 $13.84

6.29%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,192 $1,192

69.53%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$23.0K $23.0K

71.03%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$47.75 $47.75

35.31%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$33.55 $33.55

56.33%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$83.9 $83.9

16.65%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$83.6 $83.6

76.41%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$2,171 $2,171

6.51%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,918 $1,918

-17.10%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,993 $2,993

53.99%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$3,190 $3,190

-12.90%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$4,517 $4,517

-13.17%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$4,248 $4,248

-38.49%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$3,146 $3,146

65.82%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.58

0.30%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Santa Ana, CA: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $2,171 in Santa Ana, 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 66% higher in Chicago, IL, 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 $85.0 in Santa Ana, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $434 – making Santa Ana, CA 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 Santa Ana, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $3,213 in Santa Ana, CA – roughly 4% apart. Santa Ana, CA costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,820 in Santa Ana, 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.

Interestingly, groceries are about 3% cheaper in Santa Ana, CA – 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 $85.0 in Santa Ana, 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 $3,213 in Santa Ana, 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 $3,077 in Chicago, IL to $3,213 in Santa Ana, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Santa Ana, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.