Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Yorba Linda, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Yorba Linda, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,009 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,081 in Yorba Linda, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,593 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,671 in Yorba Linda, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,177 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,261 in Yorba Linda, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 2% cheaper than Yorba Linda, CA, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Chicago, IL and Yorba Linda, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 125%, Yorba Linda, CA by 130%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.35 $20.35

$24.67 $24.67

-17.51%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$89.1 $89.1

14.10%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.98 $11.98

$9.81 $9.81

22.12%

Cappuccino

$5.70 $5.70

$4.95 $4.95

15.15%

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

$3.00 $3.00

$2.79 $2.79

7.53%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$2.13 $2.13

15.49%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.87 $6.87

$6.85 $6.85

0.29%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.09 $8.09

$8.14 $8.14

-0.61%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.03 $1.03

$1.24 $1.24

-16.94%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$4.34 $4.34

-8.99%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$4.69 $4.69

15.57%

Eggs

$4.50 $4.50

$4.61 $4.61

-2.39%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.53 $14.53

$12.46 $12.46

16.61%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$11.47 $11.47

29.82%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.98 $18.98

$14.50 $14.50

30.90%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$4.35 $4.35

23.91%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.95 $1.95

-9.23%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.35 $4.35

$3.95 $3.95

10.13%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.53 $4.53

$5.59 $5.59

-18.96%

Potato (1kg)

$2.53 $2.53

$3.96 $3.96

-36.11%

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$3.21 $3.21

-12.46%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.51 $2.51

$2.13 $2.13

17.84%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.14 $2.14

24.77%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.88 $14.88

$9.35 $9.35

59.14%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.22 $15.22

$15.26 $15.26

-0.26%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.78 $1.78

38.20%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.53 $3.53

$4.90 $4.90

-27.96%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.56 $2.56

$1.73 $1.73

47.98%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.3 $74.3

$59.1 $59.1

25.76%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.19 $3.19

$4.09 $4.09

-22.00%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.72 $1.72

-18.02%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.49 $25.49

$32.63 $32.63

-21.88%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.30 $1.30

-20.00%

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

$32.2K $32.2K

$24.4K $24.4K

32.28%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$24.5K $24.5K

9.15%

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

$184 $184

$203 $203

-9.58%

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

$63.1 $63.1

$46.47 $46.47

35.81%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.4 $66.4

$60.1 $60.1

10.57%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.9 $75.9

$43.32 $43.32

75.23%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.06 $13.06

Cinema Ticket

$15.25 $15.25

$14.02 $14.02

8.77%

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

$2,090 $2,090

$1,807 $1,807

15.65%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.2K $39.2K

$40.9K $40.9K

-3.99%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$56.4 $56.4

13.93%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.0 $51.0

$35.07 $35.07

45.42%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.2 $97.2

$77.5 $77.5

25.46%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$149 $149

$84.1 $84.1

76.64%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,341 $2,341

$2,611 $2,611

-10.36%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,572 $1,572

$1,782 $1,782

-11.75%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,741 $4,741

$3,488 $3,488

35.91%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,819 $2,819

$3,136 $3,136

-10.11%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,900 $3,900

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,638 $2,638

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,769 $4,769

$7,311 $7,311

-34.77%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.58

0.30%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 25, 2026

Last update for Yorba Linda, CA: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,341 in Chicago, IL versus $2,611 in Yorba Linda, 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 53% higher in Yorba Linda, 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 $89.0 in Yorba Linda, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $410 – making Yorba Linda, CA 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 Yorba Linda, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,009 in Chicago, IL, $3,081 in Yorba Linda, CA – roughly 2% apart. Yorba Linda, CA costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,513 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,622 in Yorba Linda, 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.

Interestingly, groceries are about 9% cheaper in Yorba Linda, CA – 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 $102 in Chicago, IL and $89.0 in Yorba Linda, CA. 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 $3,009 in Chicago, IL and $3,081 in Yorba Linda, 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 $3,081 in Yorba Linda, 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, Yorba Linda, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.