Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Traverse City, MI Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Traverse City, MI

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,106 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,724 in Traverse City, MI, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,035 in Traverse City, MI, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,092 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,346 in Traverse City, MI, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 14% more than Traverse City, MI, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Traverse City, MI sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Traverse City, MI by 98%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.86 $19.86

$21.76 $21.76

-8.73%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.3 $88.3

$78.0 $78.0

13.21%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.23 $13.23

$11.26 $11.26

17.50%

Cappuccino

$5.86 $5.86

$4.73 $4.73

23.89%

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

$2.61 $2.61

$2.49 $2.49

4.82%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 $2.32

$2.16 $2.16

7.41%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.03 $7.03

$4.93 $4.93

42.60%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.25 $9.25

$6.17 $6.17

49.92%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.77 $0.77

74.03%

White Bread (500g)

$4.19 $4.19

$2.86 $2.86

46.50%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$4.79 $4.79

14.82%

Eggs

$4.71 $4.71

$2.77 $2.77

70.04%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.72 $14.72

$19.12 $19.12

-23.01%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$16.71 $16.71

-13.05%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.69 $19.69

$22.01 $22.01

-10.54%

Apples (1kg)

$5.64 $5.64

$6.78 $6.78

-16.81%

Banana (1kg)

$1.97 $1.97

$1.29 $1.29

52.71%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$3.90 $3.90

3.59%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.07 $5.07

$6.97 $6.97

-27.26%

Potato (1kg)

$2.94 $2.94

$2.72 $2.72

8.09%

Onion (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$3.25 $3.25

-10.15%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.40 $2.40

-5.00%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.12 $3.12

$2.64 $2.64

18.18%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.19 $16.19

$5.92 $5.92

173.48%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$15.08 $15.08

0.60%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.01 $2.01

32.84%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$7.19 $7.19

-51.60%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

$5.98 $5.98

-57.53%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

$29.80 $29.80

154.97%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 $3.16

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.66 $22.66

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.20 $1.20

$1.01 $1.01

18.81%

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

$37.0K $37.0K

$36.2K $36.2K

2.33%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.4K $25.4K

2.57%

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

$190 $190

$119 $119

59.15%

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

$68.5 $68.5

$36.89 $36.89

85.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.1 $61.1

$67.4 $67.4

-9.39%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 $63.8

$64.4 $64.4

-0.95%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$18.28 $18.28

$9.41 $9.41

94.26%

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

$1,525 $1,525

$1,027 $1,027

48.41%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$32.0K $32.0K

$11.1K $11.1K

187.28%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$58.6 $58.6

9.19%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.4 $54.4

$42.41 $42.41

28.27%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$102 $102

-1.79%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$85.5 $85.5

79.47%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,421 $2,421

$2,012 $2,012

20.33%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,690 $1,690

$1,415 $1,415

19.46%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,584 $4,584

$3,832 $3,832

19.62%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,782 $2,782

$2,322 $2,322

19.80%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,170 $4,170

$5,036 $5,036

-17.20%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,739 $2,739

$3,619 $3,619

-24.33%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,777 $4,777

$2,749 $2,749

73.78%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.04

5.63%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Last update for Traverse City, MI: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,421 in Chicago, IL versus $2,012 in Traverse City, MI. 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 74% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $78.0 in Traverse City, MI. Groceries tell a different story – $465 in Chicago, IL vs $476 in Traverse City, MI – so Chicago, IL 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 Traverse City, MI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,106 in Chicago, IL, $2,724 in Traverse City, MI – roughly 14% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,659 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,085 in Traverse City, MI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Traverse City, MI, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 2% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $78.0 in Traverse City, MI. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,106 in Chicago, IL and $2,724 in Traverse City, 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 $2,724 in Traverse City, MI to $3,106 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Traverse City, 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.