Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and University Place, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and University Place, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,737 in University Place, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,118 in University Place, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,499 in University Place, WA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 14% more than University Place, WA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and University Place, WA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, University Place, WA by 100%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$22.47 $22.47

-11.35%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$122 $122

-27.58%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$11.96 $11.96

8.19%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$6.08 $6.08

-8.88%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$3.25 $3.25

-15.69%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.65 $2.65

-10.94%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$7.99 $7.99

-10.89%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$12.15 $12.15

-28.15%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.04 $1.04

28.85%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$4.02 $4.02

3.73%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$2.84 $2.84

101.76%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$5.31 $5.31

-7.91%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$14.80 $14.80

-0.20%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$22.23 $22.23

-33.20%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$23.30 $23.30

-15.84%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$5.44 $5.44

2.39%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.69 $1.69

13.61%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$5.51 $5.51

-24.32%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$4.31 $4.31

12.76%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.75 $2.75

3.27%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.91 $2.91

-3.78%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.99 $1.99

10.55%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.94 $2.94

4.08%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$11.84 $11.84

36.49%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$18.27 $18.27

-18.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.72 $1.72

47.09%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.62 $3.62

-7.46%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.72 $1.72

48.26%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$2.66 $2.66

24.06%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.70 $1.70

-20.00%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$29.57 $29.57

-15.05%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.39 $1.39

-15.83%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$36.4K $36.4K

-1.26%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$26.1K $26.1K

0.50%

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

$191 $191

$158 $158

21.00%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$53.0 $53.0

28.05%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$85.6 $85.6

-27.91%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$41.55 $41.55

52.76%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$19.29 $19.29

-6.58%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,924 $1,924

-20.91%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$31.6K $31.6K

-0.88%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$61.0 $61.0

4.41%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$37.12 $37.12

48.84%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$101 $101

-0.30%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$114 $114

34.43%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,564 $1,564

53.87%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,299 $1,299

27.24%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$2,531 $2,531

80.82%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$2,106 $2,106

31.62%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$3,021 $3,021

33.42%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$2,249 $2,249

22.06%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$8,023 $8,023

-40.12%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.03

5.80%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for University Place, WA: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,564 in University Place, WA. 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 67% higher in University Place, WA, 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $122 in University Place, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $499 – making Chicago, IL 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 University Place, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,737 in University Place, WA – roughly 14% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,106 in University Place, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in University Place, WA, 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 $122 in University Place, WA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 8% 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 $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $2,737 in University Place, WA. 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 $2,737 in University Place, WA to $3,117 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 University Place, WA. 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.