Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Turlock, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Turlock, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,688 in Turlock, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,999 in Turlock, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,310 in Turlock, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 16% more than Turlock, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Turlock, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Turlock, CA by 96%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$23.96 $23.96

-16.86%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$101 $101

-12.44%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$6.00 $6.00

-7.67%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$4.48 $4.48

-38.84%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.97 $1.97

19.80%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$8.07 $8.07

-11.77%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$9.51 $9.51

-8.20%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.37 $1.37

-2.19%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.17 $3.17

31.55%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$2.40 $2.40

138.75%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$2.98 $2.98

64.09%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$12.63 $12.63

16.94%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$12.27 $12.27

21.03%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$19.50 $19.50

0.56%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$3.79 $3.79

46.97%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.39 $1.39

38.13%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.96 $3.96

5.30%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$2.55 $2.55

90.59%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.66 $2.66

6.77%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.57 $2.57

8.95%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.03 $2.03

8.37%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$1.97 $1.97

55.33%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$12.91 $12.91

25.17%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$14.48 $14.48

2.35%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.90 $1.90

33.16%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$1.97 $1.97

70.05%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.94 $1.94

31.44%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$4.20 $4.20

-21.43%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$2.00 $2.00

-32.00%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$24.94 $24.94

0.72%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.34 $1.34

-12.69%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$35.2K $35.2K

2.20%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$23.1K $23.1K

13.31%

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

$191 $191

$244 $244

-21.71%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$64.5 $64.5

5.24%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$60.5 $60.5

1.95%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$41.42 $41.42

53.24%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$18.34 $18.34

-1.74%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,436 $1,436

5.96%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$29.2K $29.2K

7.16%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$63.3 $63.3

0.58%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$46.46 $46.46

18.92%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$117 $117

-14.24%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$134 $134

14.22%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,615 $1,615

48.94%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,491 $1,491

10.87%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$2,222 $2,222

106.00%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$2,126 $2,126

30.38%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$2,752 $2,752

46.45%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$2,276 $2,276

20.62%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$4,290 $4,290

11.99%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

5.96

7.05%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Turlock, CA: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,615 in Turlock, CA. 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 12% 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 $101 in Turlock, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $464 in Chicago, IL vs $368 in Turlock, CA – so Turlock, CA 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 Turlock, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,688 in Turlock, CA – roughly 16% 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 $4,032 in Turlock, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Turlock, CA, 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 $101 in Turlock, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 26% 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 $2,688 in Turlock, CA. 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 $2,688 in Turlock, CA to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Turlock, CA. 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.