Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Washington, MI

For one person, living is cheaper in Washington, MI: $2,656 a month against $3,072 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $5,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

146

Cost of Living Index in Chicago, IL
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Chicago, IL Living Index
125

Cost of Living Index in Washington, MI
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Washington, MI Living Index

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Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 United States

$3,072

/mo nomad

Washington, MI

🇺🇸 United States

$2,656

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Chicago, IL and in Washington, MI

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Chicago, IL and in Washington, MI actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,072 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,656 in Washington, MI, rent included.

Chicago, IL $3,072
Washington, MI $2,656

A couple spends around $4,545 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,635 in Washington, MI, rent included.

Chicago, IL $4,545
Washington, MI $3,635

A family of three spends $6,019 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,614 in Washington, MI, rent included.

Chicago, IL $6,019
Washington, MI $4,614

Chicago, IL costs about 16% more than Washington, MI, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Chicago, IL and Washington, MI sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 127%, Washington, MI by 96%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.39 $20.39

$18.02 $18.02

13.15%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.6 $88.6

$45.03 $45.03

96.69%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.85 $12.85

$8.97 $8.97

43.26%

Cappuccino

$5.78 $5.78

$5.80 $5.80

-0.34%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$1.97 $1.97

39.09%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.26 $2.26

$1.97 $1.97

14.72%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.88 $6.88

$5.90 $5.90

16.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.24 $9.24

$8.10 $8.10

14.07%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.26 $1.26

$0.71 $0.71

77.46%

White Bread (500g)

$3.55 $3.55

$3.48 $3.48

2.01%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.38 $5.38

$4.32 $4.32

24.54%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$1.46 $1.46

211.64%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.65 $13.65

$14.00 $14.00

-2.50%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.07 $14.07

$12.34 $12.34

14.02%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.06 $18.06

$19.58 $19.58

-7.76%

Apples (1kg)

$5.16 $5.16

$5.35 $5.35

-3.55%

Banana (1kg)

$1.98 $1.98

$1.63 $1.63

21.47%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.88 $3.88

$4.12 $4.12

-5.83%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.83 $4.83

$3.89 $3.89

24.16%

Potato (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$2.66 $2.66

5.64%

Onion (1kg)

$2.67 $2.67

$3.13 $3.13

-14.70%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.07 $2.07

$2.24 $2.24

-7.59%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.03 $3.03

$2.03 $2.03

49.26%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.90 $13.90

$10.03 $10.03

38.58%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.05 $15.05

$15.09 $15.09

-0.27%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.63 $2.63

$2.46 $2.46

6.91%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.45 $3.45

$3.54 $3.54

-2.54%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$2.22 $2.22

9.46%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.3 $75.3

$57.6 $57.6

30.66%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.17 $3.17

$2.77 $2.77

14.44%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.42 $1.42

19.72%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.90 $24.90

$25.50 $25.50

-2.35%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.28 $1.28

$1.02 $1.02

25.49%

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

$35.8K $35.8K

$34.9K $34.9K

2.52%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$25.8K $25.8K

3.92%

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

$192 $192

$216 $216

-11.08%

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

$69.6 $69.6

$64.2 $64.2

8.48%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$62.2 $62.2

$73.3 $73.3

-15.13%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$47.79 $47.79

$40.72 $40.72

17.36%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.10 $27.10

Cinema Ticket

$17.83 $17.83

$9.98 $9.98

78.66%

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

$1,815 $1,815

$1,027 $1,027

76.77%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.6K $40.6K

$20.2K $20.2K

100.94%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$66.2 $66.2

$59.8 $59.8

10.59%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.4 $51.4

$38.12 $38.12

34.81%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$103 $103

$96.0 $96.0

7.62%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$143 $143

$116 $116

22.64%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,531 $2,531

$1,608 $1,608

57.36%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,621 $1,621

$1,326 $1,326

22.21%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,828 $4,828

$2,865 $2,865

68.52%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,734 $2,734

$1,867 $1,867

46.41%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,163 $4,163

$2,639 $2,639

57.76%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,723 $2,723

$2,446 $2,446

11.33%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,924 $4,924

$6,009 $6,009

-18.07%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.78

6.7

1.19%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: November 3, 2026

Last update for Washington, MI: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Chicago, IL

$1.6K 52.8%

Washington, MI

$1.3K 49.9% 18.2% $295

Groceries & Markets

Chicago, IL

$439 14.3%

Washington, MI

$397 15% 9.6% $42

Eating Out

Chicago, IL

$344 11.2%

Washington, MI

$302 11.4% 12.2% $42

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Chicago, IL

$324 10.5%

Washington, MI

$353 13.3% 9.1% $30

Clothing & Footwear

Chicago, IL

$164 5.3%

Washington, MI

$140 5.3% 14.7% $24

Getting Around

Chicago, IL

$97 3.2%

Washington, MI

$76 2.9% 21% $20

Sport & Entertainment

Chicago, IL

$83 2.7%

Washington, MI

$61 2.3% 27.3% $23

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,531 in Chicago, IL versus $1,608 in Washington, MI. 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 22% higher in Washington, MI, 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 $89 in Chicago, IL versus $45 in Washington, MI. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $439 vs $397 – making Washington, MI the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 Washington, MI

🕒 Local time

03:00 3:00 AM

04:00 4:00 AM

1 h ahead of Chicago, IL

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

2,746,388

672,228

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.89 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

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Chicago, IL Washington, MI 390 km

From you

Chicago, IL
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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 Washington, MI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,072 in Chicago, IL, $2,656 in Washington, MI – Washington, MI comes out roughly 14% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in groceries.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,608 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,984 in Washington, MI. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Washington, MI, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,608 there versus $2,531 in Chicago, IL.

Groceries cost about 11% more in Chicago, IL, though the gap depends on what you buy.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89 in Chicago, IL and $45 in Washington, MI. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,072 in Chicago, IL and $2,656 in Washington, MI. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Washington, MI – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

For expats, Washington, MI is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 14% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.