Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Sierra Vista, AZ Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Sierra Vista, AZ

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,891 in Sierra Vista, AZ, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,576 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,867 in Sierra Vista, AZ, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,143 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,843 in Sierra Vista, AZ, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 59% more than Sierra Vista, AZ, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Sierra Vista, AZ sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Sierra Vista, AZ by 42%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.27 $20.27

$17.08 $17.08

18.68%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$64.2 $64.2

57.01%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.04 $12.04

$9.97 $9.97

20.76%

Cappuccino

$5.76 $5.76

$4.46 $4.46

29.15%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.22 $2.22

33.78%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 $2.38

$1.56 $1.56

52.56%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.20 $7.20

$5.57 $5.57

29.26%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.05 $8.05

$9.16 $9.16

-12.12%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.02 $1.02

6.86%

White Bread (500g)

$4.12 $4.12

$3.23 $3.23

27.55%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.29 $5.29

$2.21 $2.21

139.37%

Eggs

$4.56 $4.56

$3.54 $3.54

28.81%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.45 $14.45

$11.41 $11.41

26.64%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.79 $14.79

$7.27 $7.27

103.44%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.56 $19.56

$17.81 $17.81

9.83%

Apples (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$2.74 $2.74

97.81%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.34 $1.34

27.61%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.18 $4.18

$3.54 $3.54

18.08%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.59 $4.59

$2.20 $2.20

108.64%

Potato (1kg)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.94 $1.94

27.84%

Onion (1kg)

$2.72 $2.72

$2.32 $2.32

17.24%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.97 $1.97

25.38%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.72 $2.72

$3.20 $3.20

-15.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.78 $14.78

$9.06 $9.06

63.13%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.30 $15.30

$14.01 $14.01

9.21%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$1.93 $1.93

21.76%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$2.49 $2.49

50.20%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.95 $1.95

26.67%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.0 $74.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$3.52 $3.52

-5.68%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.33 $1.33

3.01%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.65 $24.65

$28.82 $28.82

-14.47%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.94 $0.94

11.70%

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

$32.4K $32.4K

$33.0K $33.0K

-1.84%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$26.0K $26.0K

0.27%

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

$186 $186

$136 $136

37.28%

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

$62.6 $62.6

$49.26 $49.26

27.08%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.5 $67.5

$75.2 $75.2

-10.29%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$43.14 $43.14

74.34%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.38 $13.38

Cinema Ticket

$15.10 $15.10

$12.22 $12.22

23.57%

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

$2,023 $2,023

$1,001 $1,001

102.03%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$23.9K $23.9K

66.77%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$46.20 $46.20

39.05%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$53.5 $53.5

-4.26%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.2 $96.2

$67.1 $67.1

43.27%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$168 $168

-12.52%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,329 $2,329

$890 $890

161.66%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,570 $1,570

$794 $794

97.68%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,677 $4,677

$1,350 $1,350

246.56%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,810 $2,810

$1,297 $1,297

116.59%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,082 $4,082

$1,979 $1,979

106.21%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,645 $2,645

$1,995 $1,995

32.56%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,883 $4,883

$4,078 $4,078

19.74%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.38

3.45%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 27, 2026

Last update for Sierra Vista, AZ: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,329 in Chicago, IL versus $890 in Sierra Vista, AZ. 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 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 $101 in Chicago, IL versus $64.0 in Sierra Vista, AZ. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $450 vs $336 – making Sierra Vista, AZ 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 Sierra Vista, AZ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $1,891 in Sierra Vista, AZ – roughly 59% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,836 in Sierra Vista, AZ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Sierra Vista, AZ, 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 $101 in Chicago, IL and $64.0 in Sierra Vista, AZ. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 34% 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 $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Sierra Vista, AZ, where all-in costs run around $1,891, than in Chicago, IL at $3,009. In Sierra Vista, AZ 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 $1,891 in Sierra Vista, AZ to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Sierra Vista, AZ. 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.