Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Trumbull, CT Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Trumbull, CT

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,760 in Trumbull, CT, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,042 in Trumbull, CT, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,325 in Trumbull, CT, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 11% more than Trumbull, CT, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and Trumbull, CT sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Trumbull, CT by 106%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$19.71 $19.71

6.09%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$60.5 $60.5

62.09%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$12.51 $12.51

-5.20%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.91 $5.91

-5.25%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$3.21 $3.21

-4.36%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.61 $2.61

-5.36%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$7.94 $7.94

-10.08%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$10.06 $10.06

-19.68%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.24 $1.24

-15.32%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$4.29 $4.29

-4.20%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.31 $4.31

30.16%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$7.13 $7.13

-36.75%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$8.76 $8.76

62.90%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$16.74 $16.74

-11.05%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$15.70 $15.70

22.23%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$7.54 $7.54

-31.83%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.26 $1.26

40.48%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$5.84 $5.84

-24.83%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$6.47 $6.47

-29.52%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$3.86 $3.86

-34.20%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$4.08 $4.08

-32.60%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$3.05 $3.05

-20.66%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.55 $2.55

2.75%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$12.17 $12.17

22.60%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$14.74 $14.74

0.41%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.87 $2.87

-14.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.88 $3.88

-3.87%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.98 $1.98

25.25%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$4.91 $4.91

-35.23%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$2.04 $2.04

-30.39%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$41.98 $41.98

-40.59%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.90 $0.90

17.78%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$35.2K $35.2K

-9.32%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$28.0K $28.0K

-7.10%

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

$185 $185

$182 $182

1.41%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$60.9 $60.9

1.35%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$61.8 $61.8

8.37%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$42.88 $42.88

75.30%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$20.24 $20.24

-27.32%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$3,219 $3,219

-37.24%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$23.8K $23.8K

65.53%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$66.0 $66.0

-2.08%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$48.26 $48.26

8.68%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$114 $114

-14.13%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$171 $171

-13.83%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,632 $1,632

41.70%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,351 $1,351

17.65%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,632 $2,632

75.10%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,216 $2,216

25.40%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,719 $2,719

44.22%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,235 $2,235

16.89%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$5,995 $5,995

-12.98%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

3.67

79.84%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Trumbull, CT: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,632 in Trumbull, CT. 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 15% higher in Trumbull, CT, 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 $61.0 in Trumbull, CT. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $473 in Trumbull, CT – 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 Trumbull, CT: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,760 in Trumbull, CT – roughly 11% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,140 in Trumbull, CT. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Trumbull, CT, 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 $61.0 in Trumbull, CT. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 6% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,760 in Trumbull, CT. 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 $2,760 in Trumbull, CT 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 Trumbull, CT. 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.