Cost of Living Comparison Between Highlands Ranch, CO and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Highlands Ranch, CO and Chicago, IL

🙂 Solo nomad: Highlands Ranch, CO is 28.2% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 16.9% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Highlands Ranch, CO is 20.5% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 23.4% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Highlands Ranch, CO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.11 $15.11
$20.82 $20.82
-27.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$72.8 $72.8
$100 $100
-27.48%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.14 $10.14
$11.97 $11.97
-15.29%
Cappuccino
$4.96 $4.96
$5.56 $5.56
-10.79%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03 $2.03
$3.11 $3.11
-34.73%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.41 $2.41
$2.42 $2.42
-0.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.13 $5.13
$6.86 $6.86
-25.22%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.16 $6.16
$8.45 $8.45
-27.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Highlands Ranch, CO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.06 $1.06
$1.04 $1.04
1.92%
White Bread (500g)
$3.17 $3.17
$4.15 $4.15
-23.61%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.21 $3.21
$5.52 $5.52
-41.85%
Eggs
$4.03 $4.03
$4.65 $4.65
-13.33%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.91 $10.91
$14.33 $14.33
-23.87%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.43 $7.43
$14.88 $14.88
-50.07%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.78 $16.78
$19.34 $19.34
-13.24%
Apples (1kg)
$3.85 $3.85
$5.17 $5.17
-25.53%
Banana (1kg)
$1.48 $1.48
$1.71 $1.71
-13.45%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.31 $4.31
$4.41 $4.41
-2.27%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.92 $4.92
$4.51 $4.51
9.09%
Potato (1kg)
$2.27 $2.27
$2.53 $2.53
-10.28%
Onion (1kg)
$1.87 $1.87
$2.74 $2.74
-31.75%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.49 $2.49
$2.43 $2.43
2.47%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.95 $1.95
$2.7 $2.7
-27.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.58 $9.58
$15.19 $15.19
-36.93%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.73 $17.73
$16.42 $16.42
7.98%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.22 $2.22
$2.35 $2.35
-5.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.66 $2.66
$3.7 $3.7
-28.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Highlands Ranch, CO
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)
$2.51 $2.51
$3.34 $3.34
-24.85%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.44 $1.44
$1.42 $1.42
1.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.47 $25.47
$25.42 $25.42
0.20%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.82 $0.82
$1.08 $1.08
-24.07%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.1K $27.1K
$32.4K $32.4K
-16.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26K $26K
$26.2K $26.2K
-0.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Highlands Ranch, CO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$164 $164
$188 $188
-12.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$43.12 $43.12
$63.7 $63.7
-32.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$76.2 $76.2
$65.2 $65.2
16.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Highlands Ranch, CO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.23 $43.23
$76.7 $76.7
-43.65%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.79 $11.79
$14.93 $14.93
-21.03%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Highlands Ranch, CO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,544 $1,544
$2,063 $2,063
-25.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.7K $12.7K
$39.2K $39.2K
-67.48%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Highlands Ranch, CO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.9 $58.9
$64.3 $64.3
-8.47%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$91.3 $91.3
$52.4 $52.4
74.35%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.8 $80.8
$95.2 $95.2
-15.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107 $107
$145 $145
-26.14%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Highlands Ranch, CO
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,584 $1,584
$2,378 $2,378
-33.37%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,362 $1,362
$1,584 $1,584
-14.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,602 $2,602
$4,763 $4,763
-45.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,238 $2,238
$2,815 $2,815
-20.49%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,782 $2,782
$3,588 $3,588
-22.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,437 $2,437
$2,490 $2,490
-2.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Highlands Ranch, CO
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$7,804 $7,804
$5,275 $5,275
47.94%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.59
6.6
-0.15%

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

Last update for Highlands Ranch, CO: October 27, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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