Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Waikiki, HI Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Waikiki, HI

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,994 in Waikiki, HI, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,576 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,502 in Waikiki, HI, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,143 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,011 in Waikiki, HI, rent included.

Chicago, IL and Waikiki, HI have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both Chicago, IL and Waikiki, HI sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 126%, Waikiki, HI by 125%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.27 $20.27

$23.83 $23.83

-14.94%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

-0.02%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.04 $12.04

$15.25 $15.25

-21.05%

Cappuccino

$5.76 $5.76

$5.99 $5.99

-3.84%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$3.68 $3.68

-19.29%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.38 $2.38

$2.81 $2.81

-15.30%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.20 $7.20

$7.85 $7.85

-8.28%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.05 $8.05

$8.92 $8.92

-9.75%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.65 $1.65

-33.94%

White Bread (500g)

$4.12 $4.12

$2.46 $2.46

67.48%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.29 $5.29

$10.21 $10.21

-48.19%

Eggs

$4.56 $4.56

$7.71 $7.71

-40.86%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.45 $14.45

$12.50 $12.50

15.60%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.79 $14.79

$19.35 $19.35

-23.57%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.56 $19.56

$19.73 $19.73

-0.86%

Apples (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$6.78 $6.78

-20.06%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 $1.71

$1.64 $1.64

4.27%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.18 $4.18

$6.58 $6.58

-36.47%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.59 $4.59

$8.28 $8.28

-44.57%

Potato (1kg)

$2.48 $2.48

$5.18 $5.18

-52.12%

Onion (1kg)

$2.72 $2.72

$4.57 $4.57

-40.48%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.47 $2.47

$4.92 $4.92

-49.80%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.72 $2.72

$2.91 $2.91

-6.53%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.78 $14.78

$12.15 $12.15

21.65%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.30 $15.30

$17.72 $17.72

-13.66%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.52 $2.52

-6.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$5.51 $5.51

-32.12%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.03 $2.03

21.67%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.0 $74.0

$81.1 $81.1

-8.71%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$3.42 $3.42

-2.92%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.37 $1.37

$2.69 $2.69

-49.07%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.65 $24.65

$44.30 $44.30

-44.36%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.22 $1.22

-13.93%

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

$32.4K $32.4K

$29.7K $29.7K

9.08%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$24.9K $24.9K

4.85%

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

$186 $186

$237 $237

-21.34%

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

$62.6 $62.6

$66.8 $66.8

-6.30%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.5 $67.5

$68.4 $68.4

-1.26%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$42.81 $42.81

75.68%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.38 $13.38

Cinema Ticket

$15.10 $15.10

$16.24 $16.24

-7.02%

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

$2,023 $2,023

$1,514 $1,514

33.63%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.9K $39.9K

$20.2K $20.2K

97.48%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$56.2 $56.2

14.22%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.2 $51.2

$60.2 $60.2

-15.03%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.2 $96.2

$105 $105

-8.81%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$129 $129

13.80%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,329 $2,329

$1,599 $1,599

45.64%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,570 $1,570

$1,380 $1,380

13.73%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,677 $4,677

$2,589 $2,589

80.64%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,810 $2,810

$2,230 $2,230

26.00%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,082 $4,082

$2,664 $2,664

53.23%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,645 $2,645

$2,560 $2,560

3.32%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,883 $4,883

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.59

0.15%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 27, 2026

Last update for Waikiki, HI: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,329 in Chicago, IL versus $1,599 in Waikiki, HI. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $101 in Chicago, IL versus $101 in Waikiki, HI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $450 vs $556 – 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 Waikiki, HI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,491 in Waikiki, HI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Public transport costs about 10% less in Waikiki, HI. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $2,994 in Waikiki, HI. 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 $2,994 in Waikiki, HI to $3,009 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 Waikiki, HI. 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.