Cost of Living Comparison Between Framingham, MA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Framingham, MA and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,375 per month in Framingham, MA vs $3,066 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,828 per month in Framingham, MA vs $4,583 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,281 per month in Framingham, MA vs $6,100 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Framingham, MA costs about 10% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Framingham, MA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Framingham, MA by 151%, Chicago, IL by 128%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.84 $18.84

$20.53 $20.53

-8.23%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$102 $102

-1.05%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.61 $13.61

$12.03 $12.03

13.13%

Cappuccino

$3.74 $3.74

$5.62 $5.62

-33.45%

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

$2.71 $2.71

$3.07 $3.07

-11.73%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.17 $2.17

$2.42 $2.42

-10.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.06 $6.06

$6.98 $6.98

-13.18%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.69 $6.69

$8.10 $8.10

-17.41%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.12 $1.12

$1.08 $1.08

3.70%

White Bread (500g)

$3.41 $3.41

$3.95 $3.95

-13.67%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.16 $3.16

$5.52 $5.52

-42.75%

Eggs

$6.12 $6.12

$4.55 $4.55

34.51%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.64 $10.64

$14.58 $14.58

-27.02%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.84 $9.84

$14.91 $14.91

-34.00%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.13 $20.13

$18.83 $18.83

6.90%

Apples (1kg)

$3.76 $3.76

$5.34 $5.34

-29.59%

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.76 $1.76

9.66%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.96 $5.96

$4.39 $4.39

35.76%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.79 $5.79

$4.37 $4.37

32.49%

Potato (1kg)

$1.98 $1.98

$2.55 $2.55

-22.35%

Onion (1kg)

$2.76 $2.76

$2.78 $2.78

-0.72%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.93 $2.93

$2.46 $2.46

19.11%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.51 $2.51

$2.66 $2.66

-5.64%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.85 $10.85

$14.74 $14.74

-26.39%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.95 $14.95

$15.17 $15.17

-1.45%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.16 $2.16

$2.45 $2.45

-11.84%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.97 $1.97

$3.68 $3.68

-46.47%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.41 $2.41

$2.52 $2.52

-4.37%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.96 $3.96

$3.29 $3.29

20.36%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.43 $1.43

23.08%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.61 $29.61

$24.86 $24.86

19.11%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.83 $0.83

$1.09 $1.09

-23.85%

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

$28.5K $28.5K

$31.3K $31.3K

-9.12%

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

$16.8K $16.8K

$26.8K $26.8K

-37.18%

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

$224 $224

$187 $187

19.71%

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

$29.54 $29.54

$62.4 $62.4

-52.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$64.6 $64.6

$67.1 $67.1

-3.78%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.42 $25.42

$75.2 $75.2

-66.18%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$25.14 $25.14

$13.17 $13.17

90.89%

Cinema Ticket

$8.92 $8.92

$15.21 $15.21

-41.35%

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

$1,526 $1,526

$2,039 $2,039

-25.16%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.4K $23.4K

$39.3K $39.3K

-40.57%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.55 $35.55

$64.0 $64.0

-44.42%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.51 $29.51

$50.6 $50.6

-41.67%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$56.7 $56.7

$95.4 $95.4

-40.55%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$84.1 $84.1

$144 $144

-41.42%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,044 $2,044

$2,355 $2,355

-13.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,190 $2,190

$1,613 $1,613

35.78%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,280 $3,280

$4,728 $4,728

-30.63%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,431 $3,431

$2,754 $2,754

24.58%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,803 $3,803

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,580 $2,580

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,681 $4,681

$4,738 $4,738

-1.21%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.61

6.6

0.15%

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

Last update for Framingham, MA: April 13, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,044 in Framingham, MA versus $2,355 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 1% higher in Chicago, IL, 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 $101 in Framingham, MA versus $102 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $405 vs $447 – making Framingham, MA 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

Framingham, MA vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Framingham, MA costs about 10% more than Chicago, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,063 per month in Framingham, MA and $4,599 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $101 in Framingham, MA and $102 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 10% cheaper in Framingham, MA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,375 in Framingham, MA and $3,066 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 $3,066 in Chicago, IL to $3,375 in Framingham, MA. 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, Framingham, MA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.