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 $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,785 in Yorba Linda, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,172 in Yorba Linda, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,558 in Yorba Linda, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 12% more than Yorba Linda, CA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Yorba Linda, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Yorba Linda, CA by 104%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$24.96 $24.96

-20.19%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$100 $100

-11.65%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$11.67 $11.67

10.88%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.51 $5.51

0.54%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$2.98 $2.98

-8.05%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$2.74 $2.74

-13.87%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$7.97 $7.97

-10.66%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$8.76 $8.76

-0.34%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.28 $1.28

4.69%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$4.81 $4.81

-13.31%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$5.01 $5.01

14.37%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$5.04 $5.04

-2.98%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$12.28 $12.28

20.28%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$16.13 $16.13

-7.94%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$17.66 $17.66

11.04%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$5.35 $5.35

4.11%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$2.41 $2.41

-20.33%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$4.93 $4.93

-15.42%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$5.76 $5.76

-15.62%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$3.70 $3.70

-23.24%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$3.60 $3.60

-22.22%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.31 $2.31

-4.76%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.43 $2.43

25.93%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$11.67 $11.67

38.47%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$14.76 $14.76

0.41%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.78 $1.78

42.13%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.23 $3.23

3.72%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.96 $1.96

30.10%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

$57.7 $57.7

30.95%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$3.17 $3.17

4.10%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.81 $1.81

-24.86%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$32.60 $32.60

-22.94%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.45 $1.45

-19.31%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$37.1K $37.1K

-2.95%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$25.6K $25.6K

2.44%

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

$191 $191

$212 $212

-9.80%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$72.3 $72.3

-6.06%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$69.8 $69.8

-11.62%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$42.07 $42.07

50.87%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$11.94 $11.94

50.92%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,946 $1,946

-21.80%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$32.7K $32.7K

-4.17%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$74.6 $74.6

-14.64%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$41.12 $41.12

34.36%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$79.2 $79.2

26.89%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$170 $170

-10.02%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,617 $1,617

48.81%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,290 $1,290

28.09%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$2,515 $2,515

81.95%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$2,137 $2,137

29.71%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$2,780 $2,780

45.01%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$2,416 $2,416

13.64%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$7,399 $7,399

-35.07%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.08

4.93%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Yorba Linda, CA: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,617 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 54% higher in Yorba Linda, CA, 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $100 in Yorba Linda, CA. Groceries tell a different story – $464 in Chicago, IL vs $463 in Yorba Linda, CA – so Yorba Linda, 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 Yorba Linda, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,785 in Yorba Linda, CA – roughly 12% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,178 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 Yorba Linda, CA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 0% more in Chicago, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $88.0 in Chicago, IL and $100 in Yorba Linda, CA. 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 $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $2,785 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 $2,785 in Yorba Linda, CA to $3,117 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 Yorba Linda, CA. 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.