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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,230 in Santa Cruz, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,908 in Santa Cruz, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $7,585 in Santa Cruz, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 27% cheaper than Santa Cruz, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Santa Cruz, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Santa Cruz, CA by 216%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$22.29 $22.29

-6.19%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$79.5 $79.5

23.45%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$12.39 $12.39

-4.28%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.76 $5.76

-2.78%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$3.36 $3.36

-8.63%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.49 $2.49

-0.80%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$7.11 $7.11

0.42%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.36 $7.36

9.78%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.35 $1.35

-22.22%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$5.02 $5.02

-18.13%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$6.78 $6.78

-17.26%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$5.99 $5.99

-24.71%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$23.34 $23.34

-38.86%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$15.12 $15.12

-1.52%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$23.03 $23.03

-16.67%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$7.28 $7.28

-29.40%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.78 $2.78

-36.33%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$5.07 $5.07

-13.41%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$7.56 $7.56

-39.68%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$3.78 $3.78

-32.80%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$3.98 $3.98

-30.90%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.93 $2.93

-17.41%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.82 $2.82

-7.09%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$13.81 $13.81

8.04%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$15.32 $15.32

-3.39%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.08 $2.08

18.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$2.68 $2.68

39.18%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.95 $1.95

27.18%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$65.6 $65.6

14.95%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$4.09 $4.09

-22.25%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.92 $1.92

-26.04%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$39.29 $39.29

-36.52%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$1.24 $1.24

-14.52%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$35.4K $35.4K

-9.89%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.8K $25.8K

0.82%

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

$185 $185

$223 $223

-17.19%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$47.72 $47.72

29.38%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$67.4 $67.4

-0.67%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$59.6 $59.6

26.15%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$17.10 $17.10

-13.98%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$3,201 $3,201

-36.89%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$37.3K $37.3K

5.61%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$64.1 $64.1

0.80%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$45.58 $45.58

15.07%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$79.4 $79.4

23.28%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$113 $113

30.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$2,889 $2,889

-19.96%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$2,684 $2,684

-40.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$5,589 $5,589

-17.54%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$4,159 $4,159

-33.19%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$7,948 $7,948

-50.66%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$11.3K $11.3K

-76.93%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$5,597 $5,597

-6.79%

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 Santa Cruz, CA: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $2,889 in Santa Cruz, 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 7% higher in Santa Cruz, 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 $79.0 in Santa Cruz, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $552 in Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $4,230 in Santa Cruz, CA – roughly 37% apart. Santa Cruz, CA 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 $6,345 in Santa Cruz, 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 23% more in Santa Cruz, 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 $79.0 in Santa Cruz, 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 $4,230 in Santa Cruz, 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 $4,230 in Santa Cruz, 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 Cruz, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.