Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and West Hartford, CT Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and West Hartford, CT

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,856 in West Hartford, CT, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,282 in West Hartford, CT, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,709 in West Hartford, CT, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 8% more than West Hartford, CT, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Chicago, IL and West Hartford, CT sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, West Hartford, CT by 113%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$25.35 $25.35

-17.51%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$99.9 $99.9

-1.76%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$12.07 $12.07

-1.74%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.54 $4.54

23.35%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.82 $2.82

8.87%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.10 $2.10

17.62%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$6.48 $6.48

10.19%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$8.06 $8.06

0.25%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.39 $1.39

-24.46%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.74 $3.74

9.89%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$5.26 $5.26

6.65%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$5.68 $5.68

-20.60%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$17.85 $17.85

-20.06%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$12.97 $12.97

14.80%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$14.88 $14.88

28.97%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$6.66 $6.66

-22.82%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.94 $1.94

-8.76%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$5.95 $5.95

-26.22%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$6.13 $6.13

-25.61%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$4.33 $4.33

-41.34%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$3.48 $3.48

-20.98%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.96 $2.96

-18.24%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.05 $2.05

27.80%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$12.77 $12.77

16.84%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$15.02 $15.02

-1.46%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.17 $2.17

13.36%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$2.48 $2.48

50.40%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.96 $1.96

26.53%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$60.4 $60.4

24.80%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.45 $3.45

-7.83%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$0.83 $0.83

71.08%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$30.28 $30.28

-17.64%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.91 $0.91

16.48%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$29.7K $29.7K

7.30%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$26.4K $26.4K

-1.20%

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

$185 $185

$243 $243

-23.80%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$72.0 $72.0

-14.24%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$69.0 $69.0

-2.94%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$43.33 $43.33

73.48%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

$18.23 $18.23

-28.25%

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$15.01 $15.01

-2.00%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,510 $1,510

33.83%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$27.4K $27.4K

43.56%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$53.8 $53.8

20.03%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$38.11 $38.11

37.63%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$66.0 $66.0

48.32%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$146 $146

0.83%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$2,802 $2,802

-17.47%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,346 $1,346

18.13%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,668 $2,668

72.75%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,214 $2,214

25.49%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$3,024 $3,024

29.70%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,459 $2,459

6.25%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$6,157 $6,157

-15.27%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.38

3.45%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for West Hartford, CT: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $2,802 in West Hartford, CT. 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 18% higher in West Hartford, CT, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $100 in West Hartford, CT. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $460 – 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 West Hartford, CT: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,077 in Chicago, IL, $2,856 in West Hartford, CT – roughly 8% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,284 in West Hartford, CT. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Interestingly, groceries are about 3% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $100 in West Hartford, CT. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $2,856 in West Hartford, CT. 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 $2,856 in West Hartford, CT to $3,077 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 West Hartford, CT. 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.