Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and West Hollywood, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and West Hollywood, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,165 in West Hollywood, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,593 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,129 in West Hollywood, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,177 per month in Chicago, IL vs $7,094 in West Hollywood, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 5% cheaper than West Hollywood, CA, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Chicago, IL and West Hollywood, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 125%, West Hollywood, CA by 136%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.35 $20.35

$20.36 $20.36

-0.05%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

-0.26%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.98 $11.98

$13.99 $13.99

-14.37%

Cappuccino

$5.70 $5.70

$5.79 $5.79

-1.55%

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

$3.00 $3.00

$2.78 $2.78

7.91%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.95 $1.95

26.15%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$8.41 $8.41

-18.31%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.09 $8.09

$9.87 $9.87

-18.03%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$1.11 $1.11

-7.21%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$4.06 $4.06

-2.71%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$5.03 $5.03

7.75%

Eggs

$4.50 $4.50

$6.88 $6.88

-34.59%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$10.75 $10.75

35.16%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$16.77 $16.77

-11.21%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.98 $18.98

$19.65 $19.65

-3.41%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$3.37 $3.37

59.94%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.88 $1.88

-5.85%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.35 $4.35

$4.03 $4.03

7.94%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.53 $4.53

$4.71 $4.71

-3.82%

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$3.03 $3.03

-16.50%

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$2.54 $2.54

10.63%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 $2.51

$1.39 $1.39

80.58%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.22 $2.22

20.27%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.88 $14.88

$11.91 $11.91

24.94%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.22 $15.22

$15.28 $15.28

-0.39%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.55 $2.55

-3.53%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.53 $3.53

$3.13 $3.13

12.78%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.97 $1.97

29.95%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.3 $74.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.19 $3.19

$3.15 $3.15

1.27%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.65 $1.65

-14.55%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.49 $25.49

$29.50 $29.50

-13.59%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.29 $1.29

-19.38%

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

$32.2K $32.2K

$24.1K $24.1K

33.55%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$24.4K $24.4K

9.79%

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

$184 $184

$183 $183

0.17%

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

$63.1 $63.1

$45.99 $45.99

37.23%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.4 $66.4

$70.4 $70.4

-5.61%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.9 $75.9

$43.54 $43.54

74.35%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.06 $13.06

Cinema Ticket

$15.25 $15.25

$17.71 $17.71

-13.89%

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

$2,090 $2,090

$1,217 $1,217

71.69%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.2K $39.2K

$23.5K $23.5K

66.91%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$62.6 $62.6

2.54%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.0 $51.0

$34.53 $34.53

47.70%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.2 $97.2

$88.2 $88.2

10.18%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 $149

$152 $152

-2.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,341 $2,341

$2,906 $2,906

-19.46%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,572 $1,572

$1,766 $1,766

-10.98%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,741 $4,741

$6,012 $6,012

-21.15%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,819 $2,819

$3,945 $3,945

-28.53%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,900 $3,900

$2,731 $2,731

42.81%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,638 $2,638

$2,681 $2,681

-1.59%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,769 $4,769

$6,531 $6,531

-26.98%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.49

1.69%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 25, 2026

Last update for West Hollywood, CA: April 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,341 in Chicago, IL versus $2,906 in West Hollywood, CA. 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 37% higher in West Hollywood, CA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $102 in Chicago, IL versus $102 in West Hollywood, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Chicago, IL vs $438 in West Hollywood, CA – so West Hollywood, CA 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 West Hollywood, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $3,165 in West Hollywood, CA – roughly 5% apart. West Hollywood, CA costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,748 in West Hollywood, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Chicago, IL, 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 $102 in Chicago, IL and $102 in West Hollywood, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 2% cheaper in West Hollywood, CA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $3,165 in West Hollywood, CA. 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 $3,009 in Chicago, IL to $3,165 in West Hollywood, CA. 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 Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, West Hollywood, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.