Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Saratoga, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Saratoga, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,106 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,467 in Saratoga, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,705 in Saratoga, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,092 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,943 in Saratoga, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 26% more than Saratoga, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Saratoga, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Saratoga, CA by 80%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.86 $19.86

$24.81 $24.81

-19.95%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.3 $88.3

$110 $110

-19.50%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.23 $13.23

$13.22 $13.22

0.08%

Cappuccino

$5.86 $5.86

$5.08 $5.08

15.35%

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

$2.61 $2.61

$1.97 $1.97

32.49%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

$0.98 $0.98

136.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.03 $7.03

$3.04 $3.04

131.25%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.25 $9.25

$6.08 $6.08

52.14%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.29 $1.29

3.88%

White Bread (500g)

$4.19 $4.19

$3.40 $3.40

23.24%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$3.32 $3.32

65.66%

Eggs

$4.71 $4.71

$4.03 $4.03

16.87%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.72 $14.72

$5.36 $5.36

174.63%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$4.49 $4.49

223.61%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.69 $19.69

$11.21 $11.21

75.65%

Apples (1kg)

$5.64 $5.64

$4.82 $4.82

17.01%

Banana (1kg)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.09 $1.09

80.73%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$1.09 $1.09

270.64%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$3.26 $3.26

55.52%

Potato (1kg)

$2.94 $2.94

$0.74 $0.74

297.30%

Onion (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$0.80 $0.80

265.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$1.22 $1.22

86.89%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.12 $3.12

$1.46 $1.46

113.70%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.19 $16.19

$20.25 $20.25

-20.05%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$3.93 $3.93

286.01%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$1.68 $1.68

58.93%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$4.60 $4.60

-24.35%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.05 $2.05

23.90%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

$65.6 $65.6

15.75%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 $3.16

$3.54 $3.54

-10.73%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$0.95 $0.95

44.21%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.66 $22.66

$33.96 $33.96

-33.27%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$1.27 $1.27

-5.51%

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

$37.0K $37.0K

$21.8K $21.8K

69.82%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$24.9K $24.9K

4.53%

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

$190 $190

$290 $290

-34.65%

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

$68.5 $68.5

$34.36 $34.36

99.30%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.1 $61.1

$29.96 $29.96

103.77%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 $63.8

$41.42 $41.42

53.98%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

$15.10 $15.10

84.11%

Cinema Ticket

$18.28 $18.28

$8.10 $8.10

125.68%

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

$1,525 $1,525

$1,420 $1,420

7.36%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.0K $32.0K

$43.1K $43.1K

-25.79%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$40.40 $40.40

58.47%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.4 $54.4

$24.81 $24.81

119.27%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$75.1 $75.1

34.03%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$149 $149

3.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,421 $2,421

$1,610 $1,610

50.38%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,690 $1,690

$1,269 $1,269

33.20%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,584 $4,584

$2,471 $2,471

85.51%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,782 $2,782

$2,127 $2,127

30.83%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,170 $4,170

$2,422 $2,422

72.14%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,739 $2,739

$2,218 $2,218

23.49%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,777 $4,777

$8,010 $8,010

-40.36%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.33%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Last update for Saratoga, CA: August 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,421 in Chicago, IL versus $1,610 in Saratoga, 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 68% higher in Saratoga, CA, 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $110 in Saratoga, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $465 in Chicago, IL vs $252 in Saratoga, CA – so Saratoga, CA 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 Saratoga, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,106 in Chicago, IL, $2,467 in Saratoga, CA – roughly 26% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,659 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,701 in Saratoga, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Saratoga, CA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 85% 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 $110 in Saratoga, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Saratoga, CA, where all-in costs run around $2,467, than in Chicago, IL at $3,106. In Saratoga, CA it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,467 in Saratoga, CA to $3,106 in Chicago, IL. 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 Saratoga, 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.