Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Walla Walla, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Walla Walla, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,439 in Walla Walla, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,624 in Walla Walla, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,808 in Walla Walla, WA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 28% more than Walla Walla, WA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Walla Walla, WA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Walla Walla, WA by 78%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$19.61 $19.61

1.58%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$74.8 $74.8

18.35%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$9.84 $9.84

31.50%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$4.99 $4.99

11.02%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$2.41 $2.41

13.69%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.86 $1.86

26.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$4.40 $4.40

61.82%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$6.14 $6.14

42.18%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$0.99 $0.99

35.35%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.27 $3.27

27.52%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$3.11 $3.11

84.24%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$4.04 $4.04

21.04%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$15.92 $15.92

-7.22%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$13.58 $13.58

9.35%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$16.65 $16.65

17.78%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$4.32 $4.32

28.94%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.74 $1.74

10.34%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$2.22 $2.22

87.84%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$3.59 $3.59

35.38%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.17 $2.17

30.88%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.18 $2.18

28.44%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$1.50 $1.50

46.67%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$1.81 $1.81

69.06%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$8.29 $8.29

94.93%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$12.20 $12.20

21.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.82 $1.82

39.01%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$4.87 $4.87

-31.21%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$0.49 $0.49

420.41%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

$19.91 $19.91

279.56%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$1.97 $1.97

67.51%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.26 $1.26

7.94%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$40.59 $40.59

-38.11%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.09 $1.09

7.34%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$30.4K $30.4K

18.51%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$26.6K $26.6K

-1.60%

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

$191 $191

$229 $229

-16.47%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$75.3 $75.3

-9.85%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$61.8 $61.8

-0.11%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$43.40 $43.40

46.24%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$10.85 $10.85

66.08%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,379 $1,379

10.35%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$21.8K $21.8K

43.36%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$40.14 $40.14

58.64%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$35.45 $35.45

55.85%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$84.9 $84.9

18.31%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$84.8 $84.8

80.71%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,366 $1,366

76.08%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,191 $1,191

38.74%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$2,299 $2,299

99.05%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$2,109 $2,109

31.43%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$2,767 $2,767

45.66%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$2,683 $2,683

2.32%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$5,185 $5,185

-7.34%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.06

5.28%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Walla Walla, WA: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,366 in Walla Walla, 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 8% higher in Walla Walla, 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 $75.0 in Walla Walla, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $378 – making Walla Walla, WA 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 Walla Walla, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,439 in Walla Walla, WA – roughly 28% 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 $3,659 in Walla Walla, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Walla Walla, WA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 23% 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $75.0 in Walla Walla, WA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $2,439 in Walla Walla, 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 $2,439 in Walla Walla, WA to $3,117 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Walla Walla, 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.