Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Springfield, VA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Springfield, VA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,585 in Springfield, VA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,422 in Springfield, VA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,259 in Springfield, VA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 19% more than Springfield, VA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Springfield, VA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Springfield, VA by 93%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$19.84 $19.84

5.39%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$99.8 $99.8

-1.65%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$10.96 $10.96

8.21%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.17 $5.17

8.32%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.16 $2.16

42.13%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.02 $2.02

22.28%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$4.99 $4.99

43.09%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$7.96 $7.96

1.51%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.96 $0.96

9.38%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.72 $3.72

10.48%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$3.68 $3.68

52.45%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.32 $4.32

4.40%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$9.40 $9.40

51.81%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$12.40 $12.40

20.08%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$15.51 $15.51

23.73%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$5.70 $5.70

-9.82%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.19 $1.19

48.74%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$3.74 $3.74

17.38%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.35 $4.35

4.83%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.55 $2.55

-0.39%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$2.71 $2.71

1.48%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.90 $1.90

27.37%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.12 $2.12

23.58%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$10.44 $10.44

42.91%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$13.03 $13.03

13.58%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.25 $2.25

9.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$4.25 $4.25

-12.24%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.05 $2.05

20.98%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$2.43 $2.43

30.86%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.58 $1.58

-10.13%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$22.65 $22.65

10.11%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.90 $0.90

17.78%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$28.9K $28.9K

10.59%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.5K $25.5K

2.21%

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

$185 $185

$206 $206

-10.21%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$59.9 $59.9

3.12%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$69.4 $69.4

-3.57%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$18.06 $18.06

316.22%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$15.18 $15.18

-3.10%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,302 $1,302

55.18%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$32.5K $32.5K

21.28%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$54.3 $54.3

18.90%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$39.29 $39.29

33.49%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$79.4 $79.4

23.28%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$121 $121

21.54%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,530 $1,530

51.16%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,376 $1,376

15.56%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,664 $2,664

72.97%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$3,346 $3,346

-16.95%

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

$6,991 $6,991

-25.37%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.58

0.30%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Springfield, VA: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,530 in Springfield, VA. 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 34% higher in Springfield, VA, 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 $100 in Springfield, VA. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $380 in Springfield, VA – so Springfield, VA 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 Springfield, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,585 in Springfield, VA – roughly 19% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,878 in Springfield, VA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Springfield, VA, 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 $100 in Springfield, VA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 18% 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 $2,500 monthly budget goes further in Springfield, VA, where all-in costs run around $2,585, than in Chicago, IL at $3,077. In Springfield, VA 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 $2,585 in Springfield, VA to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Springfield, VA. 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.