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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,068 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,198 in Santa Maria, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,648 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,367 in Santa Maria, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,229 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,536 in Santa Maria, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 4% cheaper than Santa Maria, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Santa Maria, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Santa Maria, CA by 139%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.17 $20.17

$19.62 $19.62

2.80%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.5 $99.5

$70.4 $70.4

41.37%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.23 $12.23

$11.57 $11.57

5.70%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.97 $4.97

12.68%

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

$3.12 $3.12

$2.52 $2.52

23.81%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.99 $1.99

22.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.93 $6.93

$5.97 $5.97

16.08%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.20 $8.20

$7.82 $7.82

4.86%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$0.99 $0.99

9.09%

White Bread (500g)

$3.97 $3.97

$2.71 $2.71

46.49%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.58 $5.58

$4.86 $4.86

14.81%

Eggs

$4.47 $4.47

$3.47 $3.47

28.82%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.50 $14.50

$10.08 $10.08

43.85%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$8.25 $8.25

82.79%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.34 $19.34

$17.00 $17.00

13.76%

Apples (1kg)

$5.37 $5.37

$3.71 $3.71

44.74%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.69 $1.69

4.14%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$3.47 $3.47

24.50%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.41 $4.41

$3.36 $3.36

31.25%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.93 $2.93

-13.31%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.13 $2.13

26.76%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.49 $2.49

$1.76 $1.76

41.48%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.60 $2.60

$1.37 $1.37

89.78%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.80 $14.80

$10.96 $10.96

35.04%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.18 $15.18

$15.28 $15.28

-0.65%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.75 $1.75

41.14%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.60 $3.60

$3.38 $3.38

6.51%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.04 $2.04

24.51%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.3 $76.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$3.36 $3.36

-1.79%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.81 $1.81

-23.76%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.36 $25.36

$24.87 $24.87

1.97%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.24 $1.24

-12.10%

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

$31.6K $31.6K

$36.8K $36.8K

-14.07%

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

$26.6K $26.6K

$29.7K $29.7K

-10.49%

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

$186 $186

$167 $167

11.13%

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

$62.9 $62.9

$49.67 $49.67

26.56%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$84.1 $84.1

-21.26%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.6 $77.6

$42.26 $42.26

83.67%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.16 $13.16

Cinema Ticket

$14.74 $14.74

$14.67 $14.67

0.48%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$971 $971

110.01%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$13.2K $13.2K

201.75%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$55.3 $55.3

15.48%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$40.59 $40.59

26.07%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.2 $95.2

$71.3 $71.3

33.53%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$78.7 $78.7

83.06%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,305 $2,305

$2,232 $2,232

3.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,575 $1,575

$2,025 $2,025

-22.21%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,688 $4,688

$3,331 $3,331

40.74%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,737 $2,737

$3,075 $3,075

-10.99%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,063 $4,063

$8,476 $8,476

-52.06%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,696 $2,696

$8,475 $8,475

-68.19%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,019 $5,019

$4,198 $4,198

19.56%

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: July 11, 2026

Last update for Santa Maria, CA: July 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,305 in Chicago, IL versus $2,232 in Santa Maria, 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 20% 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $70.0 in Santa Maria, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $335 – making Santa Maria, 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 Maria, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,068 in Chicago, IL, $3,198 in Santa Maria, CA – roughly 4% apart. Santa Maria, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,602 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,797 in Santa Maria, 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $99.0 in Chicago, IL and $70.0 in Santa Maria, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 34% cheaper in Santa Maria, CA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,068 in Chicago, IL and $3,198 in Santa Maria, 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 $3,068 in Chicago, IL to $3,198 in Santa Maria, 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 Maria, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.