Cost of Living Comparison Between Malden, MA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Malden, MA and Chicago, IL

🙂 Solo nomad: Malden, MA is 6.2% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 11.9% more expensive with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Malden, MA is 16.8% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 8.1% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Malden, MA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.28 $20.28
$20.82 $20.82
-2.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$66.2 $66.2
$100 $100
-34.04%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.23 $12.23
$11.97 $11.97
2.17%
Cappuccino
$4.4 $4.4
$5.56 $5.56
-20.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.22 $2.22
$3.11 $3.11
-28.62%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.77 $1.77
$2.42 $2.42
-26.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.04 $6.04
$6.86 $6.86
-11.95%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.85 $6.85
$8.45 $8.45
-18.93%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Malden, MA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.25 $1.25
$1.04 $1.04
20.19%
White Bread (500g)
$3.49 $3.49
$4.15 $4.15
-15.90%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.87 $5.87
$5.52 $5.52
6.34%
Eggs
$4.18 $4.18
$4.65 $4.65
-10.11%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.56 $16.56
$14.33 $14.33
15.56%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.46 $13.46
$14.88 $14.88
-9.54%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.13 $19.13
$19.34 $19.34
-1.09%
Apples (1kg)
$3.86 $3.86
$5.17 $5.17
-25.34%
Banana (1kg)
$1.4 $1.4
$1.71 $1.71
-18.13%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.85 $3.85
$4.41 $4.41
-12.70%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.91 $3.91
$4.51 $4.51
-13.30%
Potato (1kg)
$3.28 $3.28
$2.53 $2.53
29.64%
Onion (1kg)
$2.57 $2.57
$2.74 $2.74
-6.20%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.65 $2.65
$2.43 $2.43
9.05%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.3 $2.3
$2.7 $2.7
-14.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.81 $12.81
$15.19 $15.19
-15.67%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.47 $13.47
$16.42 $16.42
-17.97%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 $1.78
$2.35 $2.35
-24.26%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.47 $5.47
$3.7 $3.7
47.84%
🚌 Getting Around
Malden, MA
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.54 $2.54
$2.53 $2.53
0.40%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$89.2 $89.2
$74.1 $74.1
20.29%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.59 $2.59
$3.34 $3.34
-22.46%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.78 $1.78
$1.42 $1.42
25.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$27.54 $27.54
$25.42 $25.42
8.34%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.93 $0.93
$1.08 $1.08
-13.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.6K $30.6K
$32.4K $32.4K
-5.68%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$26.2K $26.2K
-2.69%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Malden, MA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$191 $191
$188 $188
1.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$54.3 $54.3
$63.7 $63.7
-14.73%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.7 $66.7
$65.2 $65.2
2.25%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Malden, MA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$34.31 $34.31
$76.7 $76.7
-55.28%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.46 $15.46
$14.93 $14.93
3.55%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Malden, MA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,726 $1,726
$2,063 $2,063
-16.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$28K $28K
$39.2K $39.2K
-28.53%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Malden, MA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.77 $46.77
$64.3 $64.3
-27.27%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.65 $34.65
$52.4 $52.4
-33.86%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$84.6 $84.6
$95.2 $95.2
-11.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$148 $148
$145 $145
2.47%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Malden, MA
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,461 $2,461
$2,378 $2,378
3.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,968 $1,968
$1,584 $1,584
24.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,437 $3,437
$4,763 $4,763
-27.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,745 $2,745
$2,815 $2,815
-2.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,413 $2,413
$3,588 $3,588
-32.74%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,644 $2,644
$2,490 $2,490
6.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Malden, MA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$5,275 $5,275
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.43
6.6
-2.58%

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

Last update for Malden, MA: October 28, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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