🙂A single person spends $2,517 per month in La Grange Park, IL vs $3,051 in Chicago, IL, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $3,735 per month in La Grange Park, IL vs $4,638 in Chicago, IL, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $4,953 per month in La Grange Park, IL vs $6,224 in Chicago, IL, rent included.
🙂La Grange Park, IL is about 18% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both La Grange Park, IL and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – La Grange Park, IL by 88%, Chicago, IL by 128%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
La Grange Park, IL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.19$15.19
$20.67$20.67
-26.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$88.9$88.9
$100$100
-11.52%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.97$9.97
$11.86$11.86
-15.94%
Cappuccino
$5.06$5.06
$5.54$5.54
-8.66%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98$2.98
$3.06$3.06
-2.61%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16$2.16
$2.48$2.48
-12.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.93$5.93
$6.92$6.92
-14.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.28$8.28
$8.13$8.13
1.85%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
La Grange Park, IL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.87$0.87
$1.04$1.04
-16.35%
White Bread(500g)
$3.44$3.44
$3.91$3.91
-12.02%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.45$4.45
$5.42$5.42
-17.90%
Eggs
$4.20$4.20
$4.48$4.48
-6.25%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.93$7.93
$14.52$14.52
-45.39%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.81$12.81
$15.21$15.21
-15.78%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.02$15.02
$19.25$19.25
-21.97%
Apples(1kg)
$5.81$5.81
$5.39$5.39
7.79%
Banana(1kg)
$1.48$1.48
$1.69$1.69
-12.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.07$3.07
$4.32$4.32
-28.94%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.86$3.86
$4.51$4.51
-14.41%
Potato(1kg)
$1.34$1.34
$2.56$2.56
-47.66%
Onion(1kg)
$2.11$2.11
$2.70$2.70
-21.85%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.00$2.00
$2.41$2.41
-17.01%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.69$2.69
$2.62$2.62
2.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$11.55$11.55
$15.02$15.02
-23.10%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.83$14.83
$14.71$14.71
0.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71$1.71
$2.48$2.48
-31.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.41$1.41
$3.69$3.69
-61.79%
🚌 Getting Around
La Grange Park, IL
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.01$2.01
$2.55$2.55
-21.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$59.1$59.1
$75.5$75.5
-21.68%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.72$2.72
$3.29$3.29
-17.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.62$1.62
$1.43$1.43
13.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$21.39$21.39
$24.72$24.72
-13.47%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.81$0.81
$1.09$1.09
-25.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.8K$24.8K
$31.8K$31.8K
-21.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5K$25.5K
$26.4K$26.4K
-3.73%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
La Grange Park, IL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$170$170
$183$183
-7.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$47.82$47.82
$61.8$61.8
-22.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$64.1$64.1
$65.0$65.0
-1.40%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
La Grange Park, IL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.70$42.70
$76.1$76.1
-43.87%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.04$13.04
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.84$10.84
$14.75$14.75
-26.51%
🧸 Childcare & Education
La Grange Park, IL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,348$1,348
$2,056$2,056
-34.42%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$24.6K$24.6K
$38.5K$38.5K
-36.20%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
La Grange Park, IL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.87$45.87
$63.9$63.9
-28.25%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.55$33.55
$51.6$51.6
-34.97%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$65.5$65.5
$97.3$97.3
-32.68%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.0$88.0
$147$147
-40.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
La Grange Park, IL
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,595$1,595
$2,349$2,349
-32.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,356$1,356
$1,581$1,581
-14.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,615$2,615
$4,708$4,708
-44.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,212$2,212
$2,716$2,716
-18.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,842$2,842
$3,976$3,976
-28.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,616$2,616
$2,632$2,632
-0.59%
💵 Salaries & Financials
La Grange Park, IL
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$5,398$5,398
$4,723$4,723
14.28%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.52
6.6
-1.21%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for La Grange Park, IL: April 21, 2026
Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,595 in La Grange Park, IL versus $2,349 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 14% higher in La Grange Park, 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 $89 in La Grange Park, IL versus $100 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $370 vs $447 – making La Grange Park, IL 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
La Grange Park, IL vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in La Grange Park, IL and Chicago, IL compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,517 in La Grange Park, IL, $3,051 in Chicago, IL – roughly 21% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in La Grange Park, IL compared to Chicago, IL?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,775 per month in La Grange Park, IL and $4,577 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between La Grange Park, IL and Chicago, IL?
Rent is clearly cheaper in La Grange Park, IL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 21% more in Chicago, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in La Grange Park, IL and $100 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is feasible on a $2,500 budget?
$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,517 in La Grange Park, IL and $3,051 in Chicago, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
How does quality of life compare between La Grange Park, IL and Chicago, IL?
It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,517 in La Grange Park, IL to $3,051 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is La Grange Park, IL or Chicago, IL safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between La Grange Park, IL and Chicago, IL?
If budget matters most, go with La Grange Park, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
La Grange Park, IL vs other spots: cost of living compared