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 $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,724 in Springfield, VA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,478 in Springfield, VA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,231 in Springfield, VA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 14% more than Springfield, VA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Springfield, VA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Springfield, VA by 99%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$17.87 $17.87

11.47%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$95.9 $95.9

-7.74%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$10.48 $10.48

23.47%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.34 $5.34

3.75%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$3.21 $3.21

-14.64%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.71 $2.71

-12.92%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$7.19 $7.19

-0.97%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$7.77 $7.77

12.36%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.11 $1.11

20.72%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$4.00 $4.00

4.25%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$4.26 $4.26

34.51%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$4.98 $4.98

-1.81%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$12.73 $12.73

16.03%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$12.76 $12.76

16.38%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$18.72 $18.72

4.75%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$6.03 $6.03

-7.63%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.59 $1.59

20.75%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$5.03 $5.03

-17.10%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$4.81 $4.81

1.04%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.74 $2.74

3.65%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.84 $2.84

-1.41%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.43 $2.43

-9.47%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.34 $2.34

30.77%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$14.01 $14.01

15.35%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$15.40 $15.40

-3.77%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.61 $2.61

-3.07%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.93 $3.93

-14.76%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$1.85 $1.85

78.38%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.41 $1.41

-3.55%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$23.53 $23.53

6.76%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.08 $1.08

8.33%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$37.0K $37.0K

-2.60%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.3K $25.3K

3.73%

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

$191 $191

$212 $212

-9.90%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$74.3 $74.3

-8.53%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$77.1 $77.1

-19.96%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$18.23 $18.23

248.16%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$14.97 $14.97

20.37%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,983 $1,983

-23.24%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$35.5K $35.5K

-11.92%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$53.1 $53.1

19.99%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$44.57 $44.57

23.96%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$91.5 $91.5

9.74%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$110 $110

39.50%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,551 $1,551

55.13%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,410 $1,410

17.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$2,628 $2,628

74.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$3,400 $3,400

-18.49%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$6,949 $6,949

-30.86%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.26

1.92%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Springfield, VA: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,551 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 45% 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $96.0 in Springfield, VA. Groceries tell a different story – $464 in Chicago, IL vs $434 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: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,724 in Springfield, VA – roughly 14% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,086 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $96.0 in Springfield, VA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 7% 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.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $2,724 in Springfield, VA. 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 $2,724 in Springfield, VA to $3,117 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.