Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Spokane, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Spokane, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,111 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,694 in Spokane, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,680 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,037 in Spokane, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,249 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,380 in Spokane, WA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 15% more than Spokane, WA, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Chicago, IL and Spokane, WA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Spokane, WA by 100%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.39 $20.39

$24.05 $24.05

-15.22%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$73.8 $73.8

33.17%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.07 $12.07

$12.98 $12.98

-7.01%

Cappuccino

$5.73 $5.73

$4.70 $4.70

21.91%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.39 $2.39

24.27%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.29 $2.29

7.86%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.99 $6.99

$6.64 $6.64

5.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.21 $8.21

$5.93 $5.93

38.45%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.98 $0.98

7.14%

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$2.95 $2.95

38.31%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$4.98 $4.98

10.44%

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$4.57 $4.57

1.53%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$16.70 $16.70

-13.77%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.20 $15.20

$15.46 $15.46

-1.68%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$16.06 $16.06

20.05%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.65 $4.65

10.54%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.82 $1.82

-3.30%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$4.92 $4.92

-11.79%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$5.57 $5.57

-21.72%

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 $2.44

$3.43 $3.43

-28.86%

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$2.61 $2.61

6.90%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$1.98 $1.98

27.27%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.36 $2.36

12.71%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.90 $14.90

$11.52 $11.52

29.34%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.97 $14.97

$14.26 $14.26

4.98%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.89 $1.89

29.63%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$5.22 $5.22

-32.18%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.95 $1.95

24.62%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

$59.8 $59.8

24.65%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$5.12 $5.12

-35.16%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.77 $1.77

-22.03%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.11 $25.11

$39.38 $39.38

-36.24%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.13 $1.13

-3.54%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$33.9K $33.9K

-5.91%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$25.7K $25.7K

4.33%

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

$187 $187

$162 $162

15.29%

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

$63.5 $63.5

$65.4 $65.4

-3.03%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 $65.5

$71.3 $71.3

-8.19%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.7 $75.7

$44.73 $44.73

69.22%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.05 $13.05

$15.02 $15.02

-13.12%

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$14.33 $14.33

3.28%

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

$2,025 $2,025

$1,428 $1,428

41.82%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.0K $39.0K

$16.1K $16.1K

142.29%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$53.1 $53.1

20.92%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.7 $51.7

$50.2 $50.2

3.05%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 $95.6

$115 $115

-16.56%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$144 $144

0.53%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,326 $2,326

$1,581 $1,581

47.11%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,611 $1,611

$1,308 $1,308

23.19%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,703 $4,703

$2,861 $2,861

64.38%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,721 $2,721

$2,224 $2,224

22.38%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,829 $3,829

$3,389 $3,389

13.00%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,533 $2,533

$2,329 $2,329

8.75%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,100 $5,100

$4,215 $4,215

20.99%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.64

-0.60%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 7, 2026

Last update for Spokane, WA: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,326 in Chicago, IL versus $1,581 in Spokane, WA. 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 21% 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $74.0 in Spokane, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $435 – making Spokane, WA 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 Spokane, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,111 in Chicago, IL, $2,694 in Spokane, WA – roughly 15% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,666 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,040 in Spokane, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Groceries cost about 3% 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $74.0 in Spokane, WA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,111 in Chicago, IL and $2,694 in Spokane, WA. 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 $2,694 in Spokane, WA to $3,111 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Spokane, WA. 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.