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 $3,084 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,693 in University Place, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,637 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,985 in University Place, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,191 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,276 in University Place, WA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 15% 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 131%, University Place, WA by 102%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.81 $20.81

$16.66 $16.66

24.91%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.6 $98.6

$117 $117

-15.68%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.90 $11.90

$12.60 $12.60

-5.56%

Cappuccino

$5.84 $5.84

$6.02 $6.02

-2.99%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.94 $2.94

4.42%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.47 $2.47

-4.86%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$9.24 $9.24

-25.65%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.07 $8.07

$11.80 $11.80

-31.61%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.08 $1.08

-2.78%

White Bread (500g)

$3.98 $3.98

$4.20 $4.20

-5.24%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.60 $5.60

$2.78 $2.78

101.44%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$4.73 $4.73

-3.81%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.20 $14.20

$11.38 $11.38

24.78%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.90 $14.90

$16.16 $16.16

-7.80%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.08 $19.08

$19.49 $19.49

-2.10%

Apples (1kg)

$5.31 $5.31

$5.03 $5.03

5.57%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.64 $1.64

4.27%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$5.06 $5.06

-16.21%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$3.74 $3.74

16.84%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$3.39 $3.39

-24.48%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.75 $2.75

1.82%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.97 $1.97

25.38%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.70 $2.70

$3.02 $3.02

-10.60%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.95 $14.95

$11.02 $11.02

35.66%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.73 $14.73

$18.74 $18.74

-21.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.37 $2.37

$1.74 $1.74

36.21%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 $3.57

$3.43 $3.43

4.08%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.44 $2.44

$1.98 $1.98

23.23%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.2 $75.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.35 $3.35

$2.67 $2.67

25.47%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$1.95 $1.95

-29.74%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.29 $25.29

$29.69 $29.69

-14.82%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.19 $1.19

-8.40%

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

$32.3K $32.3K

$30.1K $30.1K

7.39%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$25.8K $25.8K

2.54%

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

$188 $188

$157 $157

20.22%

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

$63.3 $63.3

$52.7 $52.7

19.99%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.2 $66.2

$89.5 $89.5

-25.99%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.6 $75.6

$43.32 $43.32

74.42%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.20 $13.20

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$17.77 $17.77

-16.71%

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

$2,097 $2,097

$2,070 $2,070

1.27%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$29.8K $29.8K

29.40%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.9 $64.9

$59.4 $59.4

9.26%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$36.81 $36.81

40.15%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.3 $96.3

$98.9 $98.9

-2.66%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$146 $146

$115 $115

27.51%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,332 $2,332

$1,615 $1,615

44.45%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,579 $1,579

$1,374 $1,374

14.88%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,775 $4,775

$2,664 $2,664

79.25%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,725 $2,725

$2,258 $2,258

20.68%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,023 $4,023

$2,758 $2,758

45.89%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,684 $2,684

$2,148 $2,148

24.95%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,981 $4,981

$7,932 $7,932

-37.20%

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: July 20, 2026

Last update for University Place, WA: July 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,332 in Chicago, IL versus $1,615 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 59% 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL versus $117 in University Place, WA. Groceries tell a different story – $445 in Chicago, IL vs $443 in University Place, WA – so University Place, WA 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 University Place, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,084 in Chicago, IL, $2,693 in University Place, WA – roughly 15% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,626 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,039 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 $99.0 in Chicago, IL and $117 in University Place, WA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 0% 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.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,084 in Chicago, IL and $2,693 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 $2,693 in University Place, WA to $3,084 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.