Cost of Living Comparison Between Columbia, MD and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Columbia, MD and Chicago, IL

🙂 Solo nomad: Columbia, MD is 18.2% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 7.1% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Columbia, MD is 2.5% more expensive than Chicago, IL without rent, and 7% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Columbia, MD
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.63 $19.63
$20.82 $20.82
-5.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.5 $78.5
$100 $100
-21.73%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.32 $11.32
$11.97 $11.97
-5.43%
Cappuccino
$5 $5
$5.56 $5.56
-10.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$3.11 $3.11
-22.19%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18 $2.18
$2.42 $2.42
-9.92%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.37 $6.37
$6.86 $6.86
-7.14%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.9 $7.9
$8.45 $8.45
-6.51%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Columbia, MD
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.18 $1.18
$1.04 $1.04
13.46%
White Bread (500g)
$3.86 $3.86
$4.15 $4.15
-6.99%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.53 $4.53
$5.52 $5.52
-17.93%
Eggs
$6.47 $6.47
$4.65 $4.65
39.14%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.3 $13.3
$14.33 $14.33
-7.19%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.81 $9.81
$14.88 $14.88
-34.07%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.24 $16.24
$19.34 $19.34
-16.03%
Apples (1kg)
$6.99 $6.99
$5.17 $5.17
35.20%
Banana (1kg)
$1.32 $1.32
$1.71 $1.71
-22.81%
Oranges (1kg)
$7.22 $7.22
$4.41 $4.41
63.72%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.47 $5.47
$4.51 $4.51
21.29%
Potato (1kg)
$2.82 $2.82
$2.53 $2.53
11.46%
Onion (1kg)
$3.34 $3.34
$2.74 $2.74
21.90%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.42 $2.42
$2.43 $2.43
-0.41%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.63 $2.63
$2.7 $2.7
-2.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.05 $11.05
$15.19 $15.19
-27.25%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.71 $16.71
$16.42 $16.42
1.77%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.69 $1.69
$2.35 $2.35
-28.09%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.85 $3.85
$3.7 $3.7
4.05%
🚌 Getting Around
Columbia, MD
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.87 $1.87
$2.53 $2.53
-26.09%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$72.9 $72.9
$74.1 $74.1
-1.63%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.75 $1.75
$3.34 $3.34
-47.60%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.35 $1.35
$1.42 $1.42
-4.93%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$23.55 $23.55
$25.42 $25.42
-7.36%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.84 $0.84
$1.08 $1.08
-22.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.3K $25.3K
$32.4K $32.4K
-22.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.3K $24.3K
$26.2K $26.2K
-7.35%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Columbia, MD
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$173 $173
$188 $188
-8.20%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$51.8 $51.8
$63.7 $63.7
-18.67%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.8 $74.8
$65.2 $65.2
14.65%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Columbia, MD
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.84 $49.84
$76.7 $76.7
-35.04%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.91 $19.91
$13.03 $13.03
52.80%
Cinema Ticket
$14.98 $14.98
$14.93 $14.93
0.33%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Columbia, MD
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,291 $1,291
$2,063 $2,063
-37.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$33.1K $33.1K
$39.2K $39.2K
-15.64%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Columbia, MD
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.8 $51.8
$64.3 $64.3
-19.51%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$70.7 $70.7
$52.4 $52.4
34.91%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$116 $116
$95.2 $95.2
21.75%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111 $111
$145 $145
-23.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Columbia, MD
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,060 $2,060
$2,378 $2,378
-13.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,817 $1,817
$1,584 $1,584
14.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,982 $2,982
$4,763 $4,763
-37.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,663 $2,663
$2,815 $2,815
-5.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,303 $2,303
$3,588 $3,588
-35.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,251 $2,251
$2,490 $2,490
-9.61%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Columbia, MD
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$5,681 $5,681
$5,275 $5,275
7.70%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.57
6.6
-0.45%

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

Last update for Columbia, MD: October 29, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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