Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Spanish Fork, UT Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Spanish Fork, UT

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,106 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,408 in Spanish Fork, UT, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,268 in Spanish Fork, UT, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,092 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,129 in Spanish Fork, UT, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 29% more than Spanish Fork, UT, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Spanish Fork, UT sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Spanish Fork, UT by 75%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.86 $19.86

$17.89 $17.89

11.01%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.3 $88.3

$72.6 $72.6

21.61%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.23 $13.23

$10.20 $10.20

29.71%

Cappuccino

$5.86 $5.86

$4.95 $4.95

18.38%

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

$2.61 $2.61

$2.29 $2.29

13.97%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

$1.71 $1.71

35.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.03 $7.03

$5.97 $5.97

17.76%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.25 $9.25

$7.91 $7.91

16.94%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.73 $0.73

83.56%

White Bread (500g)

$4.19 $4.19

$2.83 $2.83

48.06%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$3.86 $3.86

42.49%

Eggs

$4.71 $4.71

$2.32 $2.32

103.02%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.72 $14.72

$8.02 $8.02

83.54%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$8.94 $8.94

62.53%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.69 $19.69

$13.74 $13.74

43.30%

Apples (1kg)

$5.64 $5.64

$4.35 $4.35

29.66%

Banana (1kg)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.45 $1.45

35.86%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$3.71 $3.71

8.89%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$4.15 $4.15

22.17%

Potato (1kg)

$2.94 $2.94

$2.16 $2.16

36.11%

Onion (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$2.71 $2.71

7.75%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$1.89 $1.89

20.63%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.12 $3.12

$1.85 $1.85

68.65%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.19 $16.19

$10.02 $10.02

61.58%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$15.27 $15.27

-0.65%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.74 $2.74

-2.55%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$3.43 $3.43

1.46%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.21 $2.21

14.93%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 $3.16

$2.46 $2.46

28.46%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$2.32 $2.32

-40.95%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.66 $22.66

$24.61 $24.61

-7.92%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$0.89 $0.89

34.83%

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

$37.0K $37.0K

$36.1K $36.1K

2.59%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.2K $25.2K

3.45%

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

$190 $190

$198 $198

-4.27%

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

$68.5 $68.5

$28.87 $28.87

137.20%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.1 $61.1

$35.05 $35.05

74.18%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 $63.8

$42.61 $42.61

49.68%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$18.28 $18.28

$14.86 $14.86

23.01%

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

$1,525 $1,525

$1,309 $1,309

16.49%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.0K $32.0K

$20.6K $20.6K

55.39%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$55.7 $55.7

14.92%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.4 $54.4

$46.27 $46.27

17.57%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$49.36 $49.36

103.81%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$71.0 $71.0

116.13%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,421 $2,421

$1,583 $1,583

52.95%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,690 $1,690

$1,289 $1,289

31.07%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,584 $4,584

$1,774 $1,774

158.41%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,782 $2,782

$1,646 $1,646

69.05%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,170 $4,170

$2,617 $2,617

59.35%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,739 $2,739

$2,274 $2,274

20.43%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,777 $4,777

$3,241 $3,241

47.42%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

4.5

41.78%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Last update for Spanish Fork, UT: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,421 in Chicago, IL versus $1,583 in Spanish Fork, UT. 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 47% 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 $73.0 in Spanish Fork, UT. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $329 – making Spanish Fork, UT 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 Spanish Fork, UT: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,106 in Chicago, IL, $2,408 in Spanish Fork, UT – roughly 29% 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 $3,611 in Spanish Fork, UT. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Spanish Fork, UT, 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $73.0 in Spanish Fork, UT. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 41% 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 Spanish Fork, UT, where all-in costs run around $2,408, than in Chicago, IL at $3,106. In Spanish Fork, UT 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 $2,408 in Spanish Fork, UT 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 Spanish Fork, UT. 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.