Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Wilmington, DE Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Wilmington, DE

😐 Solo nomad: Chicago, IL is 6.6% more expensive than Wilmington, DE without rent, and 4.3% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Chicago, IL is 40.4% more expensive than Wilmington, DE without rent, and 21.7% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chicago, IL
Wilmington, DE
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.82 $20.82
$17.12 $17.12
21.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$100 $100
$85 $85
18.02%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.97 $11.97
$10.95 $10.95
9.32%
Cappuccino
$5.56 $5.56
$3.82 $3.82
45.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.11 $3.11
$2.49 $2.49
24.90%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$1.35 $1.35
79.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.86 $6.86
$4.38 $4.38
56.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45 $8.45
$6.83 $6.83
23.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chicago, IL
Wilmington, DE
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$1.13 $1.13
-7.96%
White Bread (500g)
$4.15 $4.15
$3.66 $3.66
13.39%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.52 $5.52
$5.4 $5.4
2.22%
Eggs
$4.65 $4.65
$3.11 $3.11
49.52%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.33 $14.33
$15.64 $15.64
-8.38%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$14.88 $14.88
$12.29 $12.29
21.07%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.34 $19.34
$16.68 $16.68
15.95%
Apples (1kg)
$5.17 $5.17
$6.13 $6.13
-15.66%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.73 $1.73
-1.16%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.41 $4.41
$5.12 $5.12
-13.87%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.51 $4.51
$3.84 $3.84
17.45%
Potato (1kg)
$2.53 $2.53
$3.55 $3.55
-28.73%
Onion (1kg)
$2.74 $2.74
$3.24 $3.24
-15.43%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.43 $2.43
$2.48 $2.48
-2.02%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$1.51 $1.51
78.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$15.19 $15.19
$9.86 $9.86
54.06%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.42 $16.42
$12.28 $12.28
33.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 $2.35
$2.63 $2.63
-10.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.7 $3.7
$4.63 $4.63
-20.09%
🚌 Getting Around
Chicago, IL
Wilmington, DE
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.53 $2.53
$1.67 $1.67
51.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$74.1 $74.1
$60.4 $60.4
22.69%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 $3.34
$3.92 $3.92
-14.80%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.42 $1.42
$1.41 $1.41
0.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.42 $25.42
$30.13 $30.13
-15.63%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.08 $1.08
$0.79 $0.79
36.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.4K $32.4K
$29.8K $29.8K
8.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$25.6K $25.6K
2.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chicago, IL
Wilmington, DE
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$188 $188
$210 $210
-10.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7 $63.7
$55.2 $55.2
15.50%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.2 $65.2
$68.9 $68.9
-5.37%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chicago, IL
Wilmington, DE
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$76.7 $76.7
$33.74 $33.74
127.39%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.03 $13.03
$15.06 $15.06
-13.48%
Cinema Ticket
$14.93 $14.93
$11.87 $11.87
25.78%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chicago, IL
Wilmington, DE
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,063 $2,063
$1,629 $1,629
26.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$39.2K $39.2K
$40.3K $40.3K
-2.75%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chicago, IL
Wilmington, DE
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$64.3 $64.3
$37.61 $37.61
70.99%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4 $52.4
$47.83 $47.83
9.53%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.2 $95.2
$83.3 $83.3
14.37%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$145 $145
$91.3 $91.3
58.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chicago, IL
Wilmington, DE
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,378 $2,378
$1,963 $1,963
21.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 $1,584
$1,665 $1,665
-4.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,763 $4,763
$3,229 $3,229
47.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,815 $2,815
$2,262 $2,262
24.42%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,588 $3,588
$2,797 $2,797
28.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,490 $2,490
$2,357 $2,357
5.63%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chicago, IL
Wilmington, DE
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,275 $5,275
$3,788 $3,788
39.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.6
6.45
2.33%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

Last update for Wilmington, DE: October 28, 2025

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