Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Simi Valley, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Simi Valley, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,245 in Simi Valley, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,580 in Simi Valley, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,914 in Simi Valley, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 5% cheaper than Simi Valley, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Simi Valley, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Simi Valley, CA by 142%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$23.24 $23.24

-10.03%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$69.0 $69.0

42.28%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$10.09 $10.09

17.54%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.57 $5.57

0.54%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.05 $2.05

49.76%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.05 $2.05

20.49%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.32 $5.32

34.21%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.38 $7.38

9.49%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.15 $1.15

-8.70%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$2.45 $2.45

67.76%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.59 $4.59

22.22%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.61 $4.61

-2.17%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$12.32 $12.32

15.83%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$10.90 $10.90

36.61%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$14.53 $14.53

32.07%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$2.10 $2.10

144.76%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.92 $1.92

-7.81%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$3.70 $3.70

18.65%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$5.34 $5.34

-14.61%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.60 $2.60

-2.31%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$3.06 $3.06

-10.13%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.00 $2.00

21.00%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.03 $2.03

29.06%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$11.57 $11.57

28.95%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$10.15 $10.15

45.81%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.69 $1.69

45.56%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$4.75 $4.75

-21.47%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.02 $2.02

22.77%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$4.09 $4.09

-22.25%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$2.10 $2.10

-32.38%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$31.41 $31.41

-20.60%

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

$28.3K $28.3K

12.95%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$26.9K $26.9K

-3.23%

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

$185 $185

$204 $204

-9.57%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$54.5 $54.5

13.28%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$72.4 $72.4

-7.59%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$43.47 $43.47

72.92%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$12.14 $12.14

21.17%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,187 $1,187

70.26%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$39.5K $39.5K

-0.15%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$69.5 $69.5

-7.08%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$40.00 $40.00

31.13%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$75.9 $75.9

28.86%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$159 $159

-7.03%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$2,076 $2,076

11.41%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,992 $1,992

-20.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,431 $2,431

89.59%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$3,300 $3,300

-15.79%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$4,906 $4,906

6.34%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.69

-1.35%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Simi Valley, CA: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $2,076 in Simi Valley, 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 6% 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $69.0 in Simi Valley, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $356 – making Simi Valley, 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 Simi Valley, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Simi Valley, CA costs about 5% more than Chicago, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,868 in Simi Valley, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $69.0 in Simi Valley, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 26% cheaper in Simi Valley, 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 $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $3,245 in Simi Valley, 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 $3,245 in Simi Valley, CA. 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 Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Simi Valley, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.