Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Thornton, CO Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Thornton, CO

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,134 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,904 in Thornton, CO, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,618 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,088 in Thornton, CO, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,101 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,272 in Thornton, CO, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 8% more than Thornton, CO, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Thornton, CO sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 129%, Thornton, CO by 112%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.56 $20.56

$20.11 $20.11

2.24%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$84.2 $84.2

$85.2 $85.2

-1.12%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.56 $13.56

$13.23 $13.23

2.49%

Cappuccino

$5.78 $5.78

$5.82 $5.82

-0.69%

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

$2.72 $2.72

$2.88 $2.88

-5.56%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.19 $2.19

7.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.98 $6.98

$6.84 $6.84

2.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.74 $8.74

$7.77 $7.77

12.48%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 $1.30

$1.03 $1.03

26.21%

White Bread (500g)

$3.92 $3.92

$3.40 $3.40

15.29%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.70 $5.70

$4.30 $4.30

32.56%

Eggs

$4.75 $4.75

$5.00 $5.00

-5.00%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.08 $14.08

$14.65 $14.65

-3.89%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.66 $14.66

$13.37 $13.37

9.65%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.96 $18.96

$19.35 $19.35

-2.02%

Apples (1kg)

$4.96 $4.96

$5.07 $5.07

-2.17%

Banana (1kg)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.98 $1.98

2.53%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.05 $4.05

$4.47 $4.47

-9.40%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$4.74 $4.74

6.96%

Potato (1kg)

$2.85 $2.85

$2.70 $2.70

5.56%

Onion (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.64 $2.64

-3.03%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.38 $2.38

3.78%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.96 $2.96

$2.48 $2.48

19.35%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.05 $16.05

$10.60 $10.60

51.42%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.16 $15.16

$19.71 $19.71

-23.08%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.68 $2.68

-4.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.49 $3.49

$4.52 $4.52

-22.79%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.47 $2.47

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.1 $76.1

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.17 $3.17

$3.60 $3.60

-11.94%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.41 $1.41

-2.84%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.82 $19.82

$24.88 $24.88

-20.34%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.14 $1.14

$1.04 $1.04

9.62%

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

$36.8K $36.8K

$25.2K $25.2K

46.37%

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

$25.4K $25.4K

-0.01%

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

$192 $192

$161 $161

19.31%

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

$69.4 $69.4

$77.4 $77.4

-10.34%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.4 $61.4

$87.8 $87.8

-30.08%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$61.4 $61.4

$55.7 $55.7

10.29%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.37 $27.37

$9.81 $9.81

179.00%

Cinema Ticket

$17.87 $17.87

$15.18 $15.18

17.72%

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

$1,544 $1,544

$1,500 $1,500

2.94%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$30.7K $30.7K

$25.0K $25.0K

23.15%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.9 $62.9

$58.7 $58.7

7.14%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.7 $52.7

$39.94 $39.94

32.02%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.3 $98.3

$81.8 $81.8

20.25%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$150 $150

$125 $125

20.02%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,444 $2,444

$1,963 $1,963

24.54%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,677 $1,677

$1,556 $1,556

7.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,667 $4,667

$2,769 $2,769

68.53%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,720 $2,720

$2,283 $2,283

19.13%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,117 $4,117

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,737 $2,737

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,809 $4,809

$5,400 $5,400

-10.94%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.14

3.91%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 15, 2026

Last update for Thornton, CO: August 18, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,444 in Chicago, IL versus $1,963 in Thornton, CO. 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 12% higher in Thornton, CO, 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 $84.0 in Chicago, IL versus $85.0 in Thornton, CO. Groceries tell a different story – $454 in Chicago, IL vs $444 in Thornton, CO – so Thornton, CO 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 Thornton, CO: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,134 in Chicago, IL, $2,904 in Thornton, CO – roughly 8% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,701 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,356 in Thornton, CO. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Thornton, CO, 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 $84.0 in Chicago, IL and $85.0 in Thornton, CO. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 2% 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.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,134 in Chicago, IL and $2,904 in Thornton, CO. 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 $2,904 in Thornton, CO to $3,134 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 Thornton, CO. 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.