Cost of Living Comparison Between Fontana, CA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Fontana, CA and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,460 per month in Fontana, CA vs $3,051 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,199 per month in Fontana, CA vs $4,638 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,938 per month in Fontana, CA vs $6,224 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Fontana, CA costs about 13% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Fontana, CA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Fontana, CA by 158%, Chicago, IL by 128%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.84 $17.84

$20.67 $20.67

-13.69%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.8 $80.8

$100 $100

-19.55%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.18 $12.18

$11.86 $11.86

2.70%

Cappuccino

$5.11 $5.11

$5.54 $5.54

-7.76%

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

$2.82 $2.82

$3.06 $3.06

-7.84%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.48 $2.48

-8.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.05 $7.05

$6.92 $6.92

1.88%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.90 $6.90

$8.13 $8.13

-15.13%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.04 $1.04

12.50%

White Bread (500g)

$4.00 $4.00

$3.91 $3.91

2.30%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.72 $4.72

$5.42 $5.42

-12.92%

Eggs

$4.95 $4.95

$4.48 $4.48

10.49%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.98 $11.98

$14.52 $14.52

-17.49%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.31 $16.31

$15.21 $15.21

7.23%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.66 $15.66

$19.25 $19.25

-18.65%

Apples (1kg)

$4.42 $4.42

$5.39 $5.39

-18.00%

Banana (1kg)

$1.94 $1.94

$1.69 $1.69

14.79%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.50 $4.50

$4.32 $4.32

4.17%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.51 $4.51

24.39%

Potato (1kg)

$4.44 $4.44

$2.56 $2.56

73.44%

Onion (1kg)

$3.19 $3.19

$2.70 $2.70

18.15%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.44 $1.44

$2.41 $2.41

-40.25%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.18 $2.18

$2.62 $2.62

-16.79%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.05 $11.05

$15.02 $15.02

-26.43%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.99 $15.99

$14.71 $14.71

8.70%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.01 $2.01

$2.48 $2.48

-18.95%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.55 $3.55

$3.69 $3.69

-3.79%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.06 $2.06

$2.55 $2.55

-19.22%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$45.63 $45.63

$75.5 $75.5

-39.55%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.65 $6.65

$3.29 $3.29

102.13%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$4.39 $4.39

$1.43 $1.43

206.99%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.76 $29.76

$24.72 $24.72

20.39%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.23 $1.23

$1.09 $1.09

12.84%

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

$23.7K $23.7K

$31.8K $31.8K

-25.25%

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

$24.5K $24.5K

$26.4K $26.4K

-7.41%

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

$264 $264

$183 $183

43.88%

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

$53.0 $53.0

$61.8 $61.8

-14.30%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$60.2 $60.2

$65.0 $65.0

-7.40%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.56 $42.56

$76.1 $76.1

-44.06%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.21 $14.21

$14.75 $14.75

-3.66%

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

$1,193 $1,193

$2,056 $2,056

-41.96%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.2K $23.2K

$38.5K $38.5K

-39.87%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.63 $46.63

$63.9 $63.9

-27.06%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$34.11 $34.11

$51.6 $51.6

-33.88%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.4 $89.4

$97.3 $97.3

-8.13%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$89.4 $89.4

$147 $147

-39.25%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,961 $1,961

$2,349 $2,349

-16.55%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,101 $2,101

$1,581 $1,581

32.89%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,203 $3,203

$4,708 $4,708

-31.97%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,768 $3,768

$2,716 $2,716

38.76%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,129 $5,129

$4,723 $4,723

8.59%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.58

6.6

-0.30%

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

Last update for Fontana, CA: April 21, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,961 in Fontana, CA versus $2,349 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 9% higher in Fontana, 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 $81 in Fontana, CA versus $100 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $435 vs $447 – making Fontana, 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

Fontana, CA vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Fontana, CA costs about 13% more than Chicago, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,191 per month in Fontana, CA and $4,577 in Chicago, IL. 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 3% cheaper in Fontana, 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 $81.0 in Fontana, CA and $100 in Chicago, IL. 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 $3,460 in Fontana, CA and $3,051 in Chicago, IL. 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 $3,051 in Chicago, IL to $3,460 in Fontana, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Fontana, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.