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

😐 Solo nomad: Fremont, CA is 1.5% more expensive than Chicago, IL without rent, and 22.6% more expensive with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Fremont, CA is 1% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 18% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Fremont, CA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.74 $20.74
$20.53 $20.53
1.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.0 $80.0
$102 $102
-21.33%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.68 $12.68
$12.03 $12.03
5.40%
Cappuccino
$5.89 $5.89
$5.62 $5.62
4.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28 $3.28
$3.07 $3.07
6.84%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39 $2.39
$2.42 $2.42
-1.24%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.35 $7.35
$6.98 $6.98
5.30%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.23 $8.23
$8.10 $8.10
1.60%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Fremont, CA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.45 $1.45
$1.08 $1.08
34.26%
White Bread (500g)
$4.78 $4.78
$3.95 $3.95
21.01%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.28 $3.28
$5.52 $5.52
-40.58%
Eggs
$7.40 $7.40
$4.55 $4.55
62.64%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$21.27 $21.27
$14.58 $14.58
45.88%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$15.28 $15.28
$14.91 $14.91
2.48%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$23.06 $23.06
$18.83 $18.83
22.46%
Apples (1kg)
$6.16 $6.16
$5.34 $5.34
15.36%
Banana (1kg)
$1.93 $1.93
$1.76 $1.76
9.66%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.78 $3.78
$4.39 $4.39
-13.90%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.20 $5.20
$4.37 $4.37
18.99%
Potato (1kg)
$2.20 $2.20
$2.55 $2.55
-13.73%
Onion (1kg)
$3.28 $3.28
$2.78 $2.78
17.99%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.08 $3.08
$2.46 $2.46
25.20%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.79 $2.79
$2.66 $2.66
4.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.26 $11.26
$14.74 $14.74
-23.61%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.92 $14.92
$15.17 $15.17
-1.65%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.15 $2.15
$2.45 $2.45
-12.24%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71 $2.71
$3.68 $3.68
-26.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Fremont, CA
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$5.38 $5.38
$2.52 $2.52
113.49%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$83.9 $83.9
$74.5 $74.5
12.51%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.51 $3.51
$3.29 $3.29
6.69%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.90 $1.90
$1.43 $1.43
32.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.07 $30.07
$24.86 $24.86
20.96%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.30 $1.30
$1.09 $1.09
19.27%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K $29.9K
$31.3K $31.3K
-4.72%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.5K $27.5K
$26.8K $26.8K
2.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Fremont, CA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$312 $312
$187 $187
66.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$47.20 $47.20
$62.4 $62.4
-24.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$67.9 $67.9
$67.1 $67.1
1.16%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Fremont, CA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.14 $37.14
$75.2 $75.2
-50.59%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.02 $8.02
$13.17 $13.17
-39.10%
Cinema Ticket
$15.21 $15.21
$15.21 $15.21
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Fremont, CA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,607 $1,607
$2,039 $2,039
-21.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$25.9K $25.9K
$39.3K $39.3K
-34.22%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Fremont, CA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.53 $45.53
$64.0 $64.0
-28.81%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.52 $44.52
$50.6 $50.6
-12.00%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.4 $79.4
$95.4 $95.4
-16.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116 $116
$144 $144
-19.27%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Fremont, CA
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,412 $2,412
$2,355 $2,355
2.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,192 $2,192
$1,613 $1,613
35.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,972 $3,972
$4,728 $4,728
-15.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,848 $3,848
$2,754 $2,754
39.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,263 $6,263
$3,803 $3,803
64.68%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,857 $4,857
$2,580 $2,580
88.29%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Fremont, CA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$7,546 $7,546
$4,738 $4,738
59.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
6.6
-1.36%

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

Last update for Fremont, CA: April 12, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 14, 2026

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

Fremont, CA vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities