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 $3,111 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,126 in Yorba Linda, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,680 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,673 in Yorba Linda, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,249 per month in Chicago, IL vs $6,219 in Yorba Linda, CA, rent included.

Chicago, IL and Yorba Linda, CA have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both Chicago, IL and Yorba Linda, CA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Yorba Linda, CA by 133%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.39 $20.39

$25.30 $25.30

-19.41%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.2 $98.2

$88.9 $88.9

10.57%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.07 $12.07

$9.83 $9.83

22.79%

Cappuccino

$5.73 $5.73

$4.92 $4.92

16.46%

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

$2.97 $2.97

$2.73 $2.73

8.79%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.12 $2.12

16.51%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.99 $6.99

$6.82 $6.82

2.49%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.21 $8.21

$7.81 $7.81

5.12%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.24 $1.24

-15.32%

White Bread (500g)

$4.08 $4.08

$4.37 $4.37

-6.64%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$4.82 $4.82

14.11%

Eggs

$4.64 $4.64

$4.54 $4.54

2.20%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.40 $14.40

$12.36 $12.36

16.50%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.20 $15.20

$11.59 $11.59

31.15%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$14.30 $14.30

34.83%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.47 $4.47

14.99%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.89 $1.89

-6.88%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.34 $4.34

$4.19 $4.19

3.58%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$5.52 $5.52

-21.01%

Potato (1kg)

$2.44 $2.44

$4.01 $4.01

-39.15%

Onion (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$3.28 $3.28

-14.94%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.15 $2.15

17.21%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$2.20 $2.20

20.91%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.90 $14.90

$9.40 $9.40

58.51%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.97 $14.97

$14.76 $14.76

1.42%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.71 $1.71

43.27%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.54 $3.54

$4.85 $4.85

-27.01%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.80 $1.80

35.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

$58.0 $58.0

28.43%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.32 $3.32

$4.10 $4.10

-19.02%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.72 $1.72

-19.77%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.11 $25.11

$31.83 $31.83

-21.11%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$1.30 $1.30

-16.15%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$23.8K $23.8K

33.96%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$24.3K $24.3K

10.44%

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

$187 $187

$205 $205

-8.61%

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

$63.5 $63.5

$46.24 $46.24

37.22%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.5 $65.5

$59.8 $59.8

9.61%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.7 $75.7

$42.28 $42.28

79.02%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.05 $13.05

Cinema Ticket

$14.80 $14.80

$13.83 $13.83

7.01%

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

$2,025 $2,025

$1,869 $1,869

8.33%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.0K $39.0K

$39.6K $39.6K

-1.71%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.2 $64.2

$55.0 $55.0

16.66%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.7 $51.7

$35.11 $35.11

47.34%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.6 $95.6

$77.8 $77.8

22.94%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$145 $145

$85.9 $85.9

68.80%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,326 $2,326

$2,687 $2,687

-13.43%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,611 $1,611

$1,813 $1,813

-11.17%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,703 $4,703

$3,556 $3,556

32.28%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,721 $2,721

$3,213 $3,213

-15.30%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,829 $3,829

$2,631 $2,631

45.53%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,533 $2,533

$2,479 $2,479

2.19%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,100 $5,100

$7,520 $7,520

-32.19%

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: June 7, 2026

Last update for Yorba Linda, CA: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,326 in Chicago, IL versus $2,687 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 47% higher in Yorba Linda, CA. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $89.0 in Yorba Linda, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $448 vs $411 – 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

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,666 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,689 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $98.0 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.

Public transport costs about 28% less in Chicago, IL. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,111 in Chicago, IL and $3,126 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 $3,111 in Chicago, IL to $3,126 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.