Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Three Rivers, MI Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Three Rivers, MI

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,545 in Three Rivers, MI, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,665 in Three Rivers, MI, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,785 in Three Rivers, MI, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 22% more than Three Rivers, MI, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Three Rivers, MI sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Three Rivers, MI by 86%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$18.63 $18.63

6.92%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$60.2 $60.2

46.99%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$11.99 $11.99

7.92%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.17 $5.17

7.16%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$3.03 $3.03

-9.57%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.15 $2.15

9.77%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$6.34 $6.34

12.30%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$7.98 $7.98

9.40%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.91 $0.91

47.25%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.77 $3.77

10.61%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$3.14 $3.14

82.48%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$3.75 $3.75

30.40%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$13.16 $13.16

12.23%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$13.47 $13.47

10.24%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$14.80 $14.80

32.50%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$5.53 $5.53

0.72%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.86 $1.86

3.23%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.22 $3.22

29.50%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$2.63 $2.63

84.79%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.11 $2.11

34.60%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$1.64 $1.64

70.73%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.85 $1.85

18.92%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.04 $2.04

50.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$10.04 $10.04

60.96%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$14.94 $14.94

-0.80%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.16 $2.16

17.13%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.75 $3.75

-10.67%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.22 $2.22

14.86%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$2.98 $2.98

10.74%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.59 $1.59

-14.47%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$26.57 $26.57

-5.46%

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

$35.5K $35.5K

1.24%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.1K $25.1K

4.46%

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

$191 $191

$195 $195

-2.04%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$57.3 $57.3

18.51%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$72.9 $72.9

-15.41%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$44.84 $44.84

41.55%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$12.96 $12.96

39.04%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$2,022 $2,022

-24.75%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$19.9K $19.9K

56.95%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$56.4 $56.4

12.87%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$44.03 $44.03

25.48%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$111 $111

-9.64%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$105 $105

45.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,603 $1,603

50.11%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,183 $1,183

39.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$2,200 $2,200

108.03%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$2,289 $2,289

21.07%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$2,660 $2,660

51.53%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$2,255 $2,255

21.77%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.08

4.93%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Three Rivers, MI: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,603 in Three Rivers, MI. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $60.0 in Three Rivers, MI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $380 – making Three Rivers, MI 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 Three Rivers, MI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,545 in Three Rivers, MI – roughly 22% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,818 in Three Rivers, MI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Three Rivers, MI, 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 $60.0 in Three Rivers, MI. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 22% 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 $2,545 in Three Rivers, MI. 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 $2,545 in Three Rivers, MI to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Three Rivers, MI. 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.