Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Troy, MI Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Troy, MI

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,147 in Troy, MI, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,554 in Troy, MI, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,960 in Troy, MI, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 43% more than Troy, MI, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Troy, MI sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Troy, MI by 60%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$17.89 $17.89

16.88%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$71.4 $71.4

37.49%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$10.41 $10.41

13.93%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.62 $4.62

21.21%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.31 $2.31

32.90%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.56 $1.56

58.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$5.81 $5.81

22.89%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$6.83 $6.83

18.30%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.75 $0.75

40.00%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.54 $3.54

16.10%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.68 $4.68

19.87%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$2.63 $2.63

71.48%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$15.12 $15.12

-5.62%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$8.59 $8.59

73.34%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$14.91 $14.91

28.71%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.39 $4.39

17.08%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.09 $1.09

62.39%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$3.36 $3.36

30.65%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.35 $4.35

4.83%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.13 $2.13

19.25%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$3.12 $3.12

-11.86%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.38 $2.38

1.68%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$1.97 $1.97

32.99%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$7.85 $7.85

90.06%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$13.75 $13.75

7.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.61 $1.61

52.80%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.51 $3.51

6.27%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.99 $2.99

-17.06%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$4.77 $4.77

-33.33%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.36 $1.36

4.41%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$28.79 $28.79

-13.37%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.87 $0.87

21.84%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$25.0K $25.0K

27.81%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$22.9K $22.9K

13.54%

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

$185 $185

$117 $117

58.11%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$44.52 $44.52

38.68%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$42.77 $42.77

56.46%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$31.37 $31.37

139.62%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

$35.76 $35.76

-63.42%

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$10.19 $10.19

44.36%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$943 $943

114.24%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$20.7K $20.7K

90.32%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$52.9 $52.9

22.14%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$22.11 $22.11

137.22%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$99.1 $99.1

-1.29%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$98.3 $98.3

50.16%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,312 $1,312

76.26%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,126 $1,126

41.23%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,237 $2,237

106.01%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,386 $2,386

16.47%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,656 $2,656

47.66%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,284 $2,284

14.38%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$5,408 $5,408

-3.53%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Troy, MI: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,312 in Troy, 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 4% higher in Troy, MI, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $71.0 in Troy, MI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $357 – making Troy, 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 Troy, MI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,147 in Troy, MI – roughly 43% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,220 in Troy, MI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Troy, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $71.0 in Troy, MI. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 25% 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.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Troy, MI, where all-in costs run around $2,147, than in Chicago, IL at $3,077. In Troy, MI it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,147 in Troy, MI to $3,077 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 Troy, 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.