Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Tooele, UT

For one person, living is cheaper in Tooele, UT: $2,568 a month against $3,072 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $6,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Chicago, IL, United States
Tooele, UT, United States
Chicago, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$3,072
/mo nomad
Tooele, UT
🇺🇸 United States
$2,568
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chicago, IL and in Tooele, UT

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chicago, IL and in Tooele, UT actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,072 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,568 in Tooele, UT, rent included.

  • Chicago, IL $3,072
  • Tooele, UT $2,568

A couple spends around $4,545 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,763 in Tooele, UT, rent included.

  • Chicago, IL $4,545
  • Tooele, UT $3,763

A family of three spends $6,019 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,959 in Tooele, UT, rent included.

  • Chicago, IL $6,019
  • Tooele, UT $4,959

Chicago, IL costs about 20% more than Tooele, UT, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Chicago, IL and Tooele, UT sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 127%, Tooele, UT by 90%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Tooele, UT
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.39 $20.39
$17.77 $17.77
14.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$88.6 $88.6
$73.7 $73.7
20.18%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.85 $12.85
$9.86 $9.86
30.32%
Cappuccino
$5.78 $5.78
$5.15 $5.15
12.23%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74 $2.74
$2.23 $2.23
22.87%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 $2.26
$1.72 $1.72
31.40%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.88 $6.88
$6.10 $6.10
12.79%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$9.24 $9.24
$7.89 $7.89
17.11%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Tooele, UT
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.26 $1.26
$0.95 $0.95
32.63%
White Bread (500g)
$3.55 $3.55
$3.91 $3.91
-9.21%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.38 $5.38
$3.98 $3.98
35.18%
Eggs
$4.55 $4.55
$4.15 $4.15
9.64%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.65 $13.65
$12.10 $12.10
12.81%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.07 $14.07
$12.03 $12.03
16.96%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$18.06 $18.06
$17.24 $17.24
4.76%
Apples (1kg)
$5.16 $5.16
$4.12 $4.12
25.24%
Banana (1kg)
$1.98 $1.98
$1.39 $1.39
42.45%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.88 $3.88
$3.72 $3.72
4.30%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.83 $4.83
$3.98 $3.98
21.36%
Potato (1kg)
$2.81 $2.81
$2.23 $2.23
26.01%
Onion (1kg)
$2.67 $2.67
$2.54 $2.54
5.12%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.07 $2.07
$1.90 $1.90
8.95%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.03 $3.03
$1.87 $1.87
62.03%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.90 $13.90
$10.44 $10.44
33.14%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.05 $15.05
$14.86 $14.86
1.28%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.63 $2.63
$2.64 $2.64
-0.38%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.45 $3.45
$3.41 $3.41
1.17%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Tooele, UT
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.43 $2.43
$2.17 $2.17
11.98%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$75.3 $75.3
$55.4 $55.4
35.97%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.17 $3.17
$2.57 $2.57
23.35%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.70 $1.70
$2.26 $2.26
-24.78%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$24.90 $24.90
$24.67 $24.67
0.93%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.28 $1.28
$1.20 $1.20
6.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.8K $35.8K
$34.5K $34.5K
3.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8K $26.8K
$25.7K $25.7K
4.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Tooele, UT
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$192 $192
$198 $198
-3.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$69.6 $69.6
$53.4 $53.4
30.32%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$62.2 $62.2
$69.9 $69.9
-11.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Tooele, UT
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$47.79 $47.79
$37.84 $37.84
26.29%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.10 $27.10
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$17.83 $17.83
$14.91 $14.91
19.58%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Tooele, UT
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,815 $1,815
$1,333 $1,333
36.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$40.6K $40.6K
$26.7K $26.7K
51.89%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Tooele, UT
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$66.2 $66.2
$70.1 $70.1
-5.65%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.4 $51.4
$45.38 $45.38
13.24%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$103 $103
$111 $111
-6.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$143 $143
$110 $110
30.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Tooele, UT
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,531 $2,531
$1,240 $1,240
104.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,621 $1,621
$1,270 $1,270
27.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,828 $4,828
$1,759 $1,759
174.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,734 $2,734
$2,110 $2,110
29.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,163 $4,163
$2,993 $2,993
39.08%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,723 $2,723
$2,585 $2,585
5.33%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Tooele, UT
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,924 $4,924
$7,887 $7,887
-37.58%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.78
6.46
4.95%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: November 3, 2026

Last update for Tooele, UT: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
$1.6K
Tooele, UT
$1.3K 21.7% $352
Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
$439
Tooele, UT
$385 12.4% $55
Eating Out
Chicago, IL
$344
Tooele, UT
$296 14% $48
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
$324
Tooele, UT
$322 0.7% $2.3
Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
$164
Tooele, UT
$151 7.6% $12
Getting Around
Chicago, IL
$97
Tooele, UT
$78 19.4% $19
Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
$83
Tooele, UT
$68 18.9% $16

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,531 in Chicago, IL versus $1,240 in Tooele, UT. 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 60% higher in Tooele, UT, 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 $89 in Chicago, IL versus $74 in Tooele, UT. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $439 vs $385 – making Tooele, UT the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Chicago, IL
🇺🇸 Tooele, UT
🕒 Local time
10:26 10:26 AM
09:26 9:26 AM
1 h behind Chicago, IL
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
2,746,388
37,104
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Chicago, IL Tooele, UT 2,060 km ≈ 3 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Chicago, IL
  • Tooele, UT

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Tooele, UT: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Chicago, IL and in Tooele, UT compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,072 in Chicago, IL, $2,568 in Tooele, UT – Tooele, UT comes out roughly 16% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.
What salary covers living expenses in Chicago, IL compared to Tooele, UT?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,608 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,852 in Tooele, UT. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Chicago, IL and Tooele, UT?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Tooele, UT, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,240 there versus $2,531 in Chicago, IL.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 14% more in Chicago, IL, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $89 in Chicago, IL and $74 in Tooele, UT. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Tooele, UT, where all-in costs run around $2,568, than in Chicago, IL at $3,072. In Tooele, UT it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Chicago, IL or Tooele, UT?
Families tend to lean toward Tooele, UT – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Where should expats move: Chicago, IL or Tooele, UT?
For expats, Tooele, UT is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 16% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

Chicago, IL vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?