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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,017 per month in Fresno, CA vs $3,009 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,256 per month in Fresno, CA vs $4,576 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,495 per month in Fresno, CA vs $6,143 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Fresno, CA and Chicago, IL have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both Fresno, CA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Fresno, CA by 127%, Chicago, IL by 126%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.09 $20.09

$20.27 $20.27

-0.89%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$69.0 $69.0

$101 $101

-31.50%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.70 $11.70

$12.04 $12.04

-2.82%

Cappuccino

$5.17 $5.17

$5.76 $5.76

-10.24%

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

$2.82 $2.82

$2.97 $2.97

-5.05%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.03 $2.03

$2.38 $2.38

-14.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.83 $7.83

$7.20 $7.20

8.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.75 $8.75

$8.05 $8.05

8.70%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.00 $1.00

$1.09 $1.09

-8.26%

White Bread (500g)

$2.75 $2.75

$4.12 $4.12

-33.25%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.77 $4.77

$5.29 $5.29

-9.83%

Eggs

$4.52 $4.52

$4.56 $4.56

-0.88%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.04 $10.04

$14.45 $14.45

-30.52%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.48 $8.48

$14.79 $14.79

-42.66%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.94 $16.94

$19.56 $19.56

-13.39%

Apples (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$5.42 $5.42

-23.06%

Banana (1kg)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.71 $1.71

23.39%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.46 $3.46

$4.18 $4.18

-17.22%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.34 $3.34

$4.59 $4.59

-27.23%

Potato (1kg)

$3.07 $3.07

$2.48 $2.48

23.79%

Onion (1kg)

$2.11 $2.11

$2.72 $2.72

-22.43%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.92 $1.92

$2.47 $2.47

-22.27%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.24 $3.24

$2.72 $2.72

19.12%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.95 $10.95

$14.78 $14.78

-25.91%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.09 $18.09

$15.30 $15.30

18.24%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.72 $1.72

$2.35 $2.35

-26.81%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.58 $5.58

$3.74 $3.74

49.20%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.27 $1.27

$2.47 $2.47

-48.58%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$45.34 $45.34

$74.0 $74.0

-38.76%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.33 $3.33

$3.32 $3.32

0.30%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.05 $2.05

$1.37 $1.37

49.64%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.80 $24.80

$24.65 $24.65

0.61%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 $1.27

$1.05 $1.05

20.95%

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

$36.9K $36.9K

$32.4K $32.4K

13.99%

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

$29.0K $29.0K

$26.1K $26.1K

11.14%

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

$308 $308

$186 $186

65.53%

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

$49.90 $49.90

$62.6 $62.6

-20.29%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$85.1 $85.1

$67.5 $67.5

26.08%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$72.0 $72.0

$75.2 $75.2

-4.27%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$75.1 $75.1

$13.38 $13.38

460.91%

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$15.10 $15.10

-2.58%

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

$979 $979

$2,023 $2,023

-51.61%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.8K $12.8K

$39.9K $39.9K

-67.99%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.7 $55.7

$64.2 $64.2

-13.29%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$46.05 $46.05

$51.2 $51.2

-10.02%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$74.6 $74.6

$96.2 $96.2

-22.40%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$167 $167

$147 $147

13.25%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,574 $1,574

$2,329 $2,329

-32.39%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,528 $1,528

$1,570 $1,570

-2.65%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,362 $2,362

$4,677 $4,677

-49.49%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,311 $2,311

$2,810 $2,810

-17.77%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,616 $2,616

$4,082 $4,082

-35.91%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,102 $3,102

$2,645 $2,645

17.28%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,759 $3,759

$4,883 $4,883

-23.01%

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 Fresno, CA: July 27, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,574 in Fresno, CA versus $2,329 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 30% higher in Chicago, IL. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $69.0 in Fresno, CA versus $101 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $378 vs $450 – making Fresno, 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

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

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,526 per month in Fresno, CA and $4,513 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 $69.0 in Fresno, CA and $101 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Public transport costs about 63% less in Chicago, IL. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,017 in Fresno, CA and $3,009 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 $3,009 in Chicago, IL to $3,017 in Fresno, 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, Fresno, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.