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

πŸ™‚ Solo nomad: Frederick, MD is 23.9% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 13.2% cheaper with rent.
πŸ™‚ Family of 3: Frederick, MD is 18.6% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 13.3% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Frederick, MD
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.64 $19.64
$20.82 $20.82
-5.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.1 $79.1
$100 $100
-21.19%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.66 $9.66
$11.97 $11.97
-19.30%
Cappuccino
$4.72 $4.72
$5.56 $5.56
-15.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.69 $2.69
$3.11 $3.11
-13.50%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22 $2.22
$2.42 $2.42
-8.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.03 $6.03
$6.86 $6.86
-12.10%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.08 $7.08
$8.45 $8.45
-16.21%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Frederick, MD
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.98 $0.98
$1.04 $1.04
-5.77%
White Bread (500g)
$3.09 $3.09
$4.15 $4.15
-25.54%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.43 $5.43
$5.52 $5.52
-1.63%
Eggs
$3.54 $3.54
$4.65 $4.65
-23.87%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.68 $12.68
$14.33 $14.33
-11.51%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.11 $11.11
$14.88 $14.88
-25.34%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.39 $16.39
$19.34 $19.34
-15.25%
Apples (1kg)
$7.59 $7.59
$5.17 $5.17
46.81%
Banana (1kg)
$1.74 $1.74
$1.71 $1.71
1.75%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.76 $6.76
$4.41 $4.41
53.29%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.59 $6.59
$4.51 $4.51
46.12%
Potato (1kg)
$3.5 $3.5
$2.53 $2.53
38.34%
Onion (1kg)
$2.73 $2.73
$2.74 $2.74
-0.36%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.3 $2.3
$2.43 $2.43
-5.35%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.51 $2.51
$2.7 $2.7
-7.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.68 $10.68
$15.19 $15.19
-29.69%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.18 $18.18
$16.42 $16.42
10.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75 $1.75
$2.35 $2.35
-25.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.1 $5.1
$3.7 $3.7
37.84%
🚌 Getting Around
Frederick, MD
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.97 $1.97
$2.53 $2.53
-22.13%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$74.1 $74.1
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.96 $3.96
$3.34 $3.34
18.56%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.21 $1.21
$1.42 $1.42
-14.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.36 $29.36
$25.42 $25.42
15.50%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.82 $0.82
$1.08 $1.08
-24.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.4K $29.4K
$32.4K $32.4K
-9.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.4K $24.4K
$26.2K $26.2K
-7.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Frederick, MD
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$114 $114
$188 $188
-39.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$48.46 $48.46
$63.7 $63.7
-23.92%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71 $71
$65.2 $65.2
8.91%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Frederick, MD
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.32 $43.32
$76.7 $76.7
-43.53%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.93 $14.93
$14.93 $14.93
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Frederick, MD
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,769 $1,769
$2,063 $2,063
-14.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$24.1K $24.1K
$39.2K $39.2K
-38.51%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Frederick, MD
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.96 $36.96
$64.3 $64.3
-42.53%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.96 $38.96
$52.4 $52.4
-25.63%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96 $96
$95.2 $95.2
0.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$96.9 $96.9
$145 $145
-33.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Frederick, MD
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,675 $1,675
$2,378 $2,378
-29.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,484 $1,484
$1,584 $1,584
-6.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,859 $2,859
$4,763 $4,763
-39.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,663 $2,663
$2,815 $2,815
-5.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,530 $2,530
$3,588 $3,588
-29.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,133 $2,133
$2,490 $2,490
-14.36%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Frederick, MD
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,894 $4,894
$5,275 $5,275
-7.23%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.32
6.6
-4.24%

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

Last update for Frederick, MD: October 27, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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