Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Coeur d'Alene, ID and Chicago, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in Coeur d’Alene, ID: $2,665 a month against $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $4,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Coeur d'Alene, ID, United States
Chicago, IL, United States
Coeur d'Alene, ID
🇺🇸 United States
$2,665
/mo nomad
Chicago, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$3,037
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Coeur d'Alene, ID and in Chicago, IL

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Coeur d'Alene, ID and in Chicago, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,665 per month in Coeur d’Alene, ID vs $3,037 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

  • Coeur d'Alene, ID $2,665
  • Chicago, IL $3,037

A couple spends around $3,719 per month in Coeur d’Alene, ID vs $4,518 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

  • Coeur d'Alene, ID $3,719
  • Chicago, IL $4,518

A family of three spends $4,773 per month in Coeur d’Alene, ID vs $5,999 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

  • Coeur d'Alene, ID $4,773
  • Chicago, IL $5,999

Coeur d’Alene, ID is about 12% cheaper than Chicago, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Coeur d’Alene, ID and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Coeur d’Alene, ID by 96%, Chicago, IL by 123%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.18 $17.18
$20.71 $20.71
-17.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$66.3 $66.3
$89.2 $89.2
-25.68%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.24 $12.24
$13.19 $13.19
-7.20%
Cappuccino
$4.67 $4.67
$5.66 $5.66
-17.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 $2.64
$2.64 $2.64
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 $2.03
$2.28 $2.28
-10.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.35 $5.35
$6.87 $6.87
-22.13%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.93 $5.93
$8.84 $8.84
-32.92%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.02 $1.02
$1.25 $1.25
-18.40%
White Bread (500g)
$3.45 $3.45
$3.72 $3.72
-7.26%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$7.85 $7.85
$5.39 $5.39
45.64%
Eggs
$4.23 $4.23
$4.74 $4.74
-10.76%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$20.35 $20.35
$13.84 $13.84
47.04%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.72 $9.72
$14.40 $14.40
-32.50%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.03 $19.03
$18.38 $18.38
3.54%
Apples (1kg)
$3.90 $3.90
$5.22 $5.22
-25.29%
Banana (1kg)
$1.40 $1.40
$1.98 $1.98
-29.29%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.35 $3.35
$4.06 $4.06
-17.49%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.90 $3.90
$4.97 $4.97
-21.53%
Potato (1kg)
$2.10 $2.10
$2.67 $2.67
-21.35%
Onion (1kg)
$1.97 $1.97
$2.66 $2.66
-25.94%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.38 $2.38
$2.24 $2.24
6.25%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.61 $2.61
$3.13 $3.13
-16.61%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.69 $8.69
$13.82 $13.82
-37.12%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.64 $19.64
$14.88 $14.88
31.99%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.72 $1.72
$2.54 $2.54
-32.28%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.40 $4.40
$3.51 $3.51
25.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$7.58 $7.58
$2.43 $2.43
211.93%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$27.74 $27.74
$73.5 $73.5
-62.27%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.76 $1.76
$3.18 $3.18
-44.65%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.29 $3.29
$1.39 $1.39
136.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$49.59 $49.59
$25.03 $25.03
98.12%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.01 $1.01
$1.20 $1.20
-15.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.0K $33.0K
$35.0K $35.0K
-5.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.8K $23.8K
$26.7K $26.7K
-10.95%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$139 $139
$194 $194
-28.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.5 $52.5
$69.5 $69.5
-24.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$68.1 $68.1
$61.6 $61.6
10.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$52.2 $52.2
$47.90 $47.90
8.91%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.28 $20.28
$27.34 $27.34
-25.82%
Cinema Ticket
$13.65 $13.65
$17.81 $17.81
-23.36%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,611 $1,611
$1,794 $1,794
-10.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.1K $14.1K
$31.9K $31.9K
-55.73%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.7 $55.7
$67.0 $67.0
-16.83%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.56 $39.56
$52.1 $52.1
-24.13%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$84.5 $84.5
$102 $102
-16.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$59.4 $59.4
$144 $144
-58.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,905 $1,905
$2,526 $2,526
-24.59%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,427 $1,427
$1,578 $1,578
-9.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,439 $2,439
$4,738 $4,738
-48.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,005 $2,005
$2,693 $2,693
-25.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,819 $3,819
$4,190 $4,190
-8.85%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,780 $3,780
$2,768 $2,768
36.55%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Coeur d'Alene, ID
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,709 $3,709
$4,931 $4,931
-24.77%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.54
6.81
-3.96%

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

Last update for Coeur d'Alene, ID: October 26, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Coeur d'Alene, ID
$1.4K
Chicago, IL
$1.6K 10.6% $151
Groceries & Markets
Coeur d'Alene, ID
$428
Chicago, IL
$447 4.5% $19
Eating Out
Coeur d'Alene, ID
$287
Chicago, IL
$345 20% $58
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Coeur d'Alene, ID
$259
Chicago, IL
$326 25.5% $66
Clothing & Footwear
Coeur d'Alene, ID
$108
Chicago, IL
$164 52.4% $56
Sport & Entertainment
Coeur d'Alene, ID
$79
Chicago, IL
$84 5.1% $4
Getting Around
Coeur d'Alene, ID
$76
Chicago, IL
$93 22.4% $17

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,905 in Coeur d’Alene, ID versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL. 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 33% higher in Chicago, IL. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $66 in Coeur d’Alene, ID versus $89 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $428 vs $447 – making Coeur d’Alene, ID the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Coeur d'Alene, ID
🇺🇸 Chicago, IL
🕒 Local time
01:07 1:07 AM
03:07 3:07 AM
2 h ahead of Coeur d'Alene, ID
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
49,122
2,746,388
Exchange rates and currency converter

EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Coeur d'Alene, ID Chicago, IL 2,370 km ≈ 3 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Coeur d'Alene, ID
  • Chicago, IL

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Coeur d'Alene, ID vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Coeur d’Alene, ID and in Chicago, IL compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,665 in Coeur d’Alene, ID, $3,037 in Chicago, IL – Coeur d’Alene, ID comes out roughly 12% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in Coeur d’Alene, ID compared to Chicago, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,998 per month in Coeur d’Alene, ID and $4,555 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Coeur d’Alene, ID and Chicago, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Coeur d’Alene, ID, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,905 there versus $2,526 in Chicago, IL.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 4% more in Chicago, IL, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $66 in Coeur d’Alene, ID and $89 in Chicago, IL. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Coeur d’Alene, ID, where all-in costs run around $2,665, than in Chicago, IL at $3,037. In Coeur d’Alene, ID it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Where should families live: Coeur d’Alene, ID or Chicago, IL?
Families tend to lean toward Coeur d’Alene, ID – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How do I decide between Coeur d’Alene, ID and Chicago, IL?
If budget matters most, go with Coeur d’Alene, ID. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Coeur d'Alene, ID vs other spots: cost of living compared

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