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 $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,888 in Santa Maria, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,161 in Santa Maria, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,434 in Santa Maria, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 8% more than Santa Maria, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Santa Maria, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Santa Maria, CA by 111%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$12.98 $12.98

53.47%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$60.2 $60.2

47.02%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$10.10 $10.10

28.12%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.53 $5.53

0.18%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$2.82 $2.82

-2.84%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.97 $1.97

19.80%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$8.03 $8.03

-11.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$9.05 $9.05

-3.54%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.19 $1.19

12.61%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$5.71 $5.71

-26.97%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$4.33 $4.33

32.33%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$4.82 $4.82

1.45%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$8.95 $8.95

65.03%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$7.64 $7.64

94.37%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$13.43 $13.43

46.02%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$1.28 $1.28

335.16%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.40 $1.40

37.14%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$2.45 $2.45

70.20%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$3.38 $3.38

43.79%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$1.90 $1.90

49.47%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$1.05 $1.05

166.67%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.99 $1.99

10.55%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.24 $2.24

36.61%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$11.67 $11.67

38.47%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$14.91 $14.91

-0.60%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.68 $1.68

50.60%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.09 $3.09

8.41%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.01 $2.01

26.87%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

$50.4 $50.4

50.03%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$4.44 $4.44

-25.68%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.81 $1.81

-24.86%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$35.52 $35.52

-29.28%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.33 $1.33

-12.03%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$36.9K $36.9K

-2.35%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.9K $25.9K

1.43%

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

$191 $191

$158 $158

21.26%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$72.3 $72.3

-5.99%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$70.5 $70.5

-12.52%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$28.92 $28.92

119.47%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$11.86 $11.86

51.94%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,941 $1,941

-21.60%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$42.7K $42.7K

-26.75%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$48.30 $48.30

31.84%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$39.50 $39.50

39.87%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$79.4 $79.4

26.50%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$124 $124

23.46%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$2,260 $2,260

6.44%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,801 $1,801

-8.25%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$3,492 $3,492

31.05%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$2,943 $2,943

-5.83%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$8,560 $8,560

-52.91%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$8,596 $8,596

-68.06%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$4,233 $4,233

13.49%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.08

4.93%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Santa Maria, CA: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $2,260 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 13% higher in Chicago, IL, 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $60.0 in Santa Maria, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $340 – 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: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,888 in Santa Maria, CA – roughly 8% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,332 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 Santa Maria, CA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 37% more in Chicago, IL, 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $60.0 in Santa Maria, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $2,888 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 $2,888 in Santa Maria, CA to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Santa Maria, 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.