Cost of Living Comparison Between Monterey Park, CA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Monterey Park, CA and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,132 per month in Monterey Park, CA vs $3,106 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,143 per month in Monterey Park, CA vs $4,599 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,153 per month in Monterey Park, CA vs $6,092 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Monterey Park, CA costs about 1% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Monterey Park, CA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Monterey Park, CA by 128%, Chicago, IL by 126%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$29.08 $29.08

$19.86 $19.86

46.42%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$99.5 $99.5

$88.3 $88.3

12.68%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.87 $13.87

$13.23 $13.23

4.84%

Cappuccino

$5.87 $5.87

$5.86 $5.86

0.17%

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

$3.31 $3.31

$2.61 $2.61

26.82%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.95 $2.95

$2.32 $2.32

27.16%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.86 $7.86

$7.03 $7.03

11.81%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.81 $9.81

$9.25 $9.25

6.05%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.32 $1.32

$1.34 $1.34

-1.49%

White Bread (500g)

$5.02 $5.02

$4.19 $4.19

19.81%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.72 $4.72

$5.50 $5.50

-14.18%

Eggs

$6.03 $6.03

$4.71 $4.71

28.03%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.26 $13.26

$14.72 $14.72

-9.92%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.18 $13.18

$14.53 $14.53

-9.29%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.62 $19.62

$19.69 $19.69

-0.36%

Apples (1kg)

$4.72 $4.72

$5.64 $5.64

-16.31%

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.97 $1.97

-2.03%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.41 $4.41

$4.04 $4.04

9.16%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.03 $5.03

$5.07 $5.07

-0.79%

Potato (1kg)

$3.32 $3.32

$2.94 $2.94

12.93%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.92 $2.92

-7.53%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.11 $2.11

$2.28 $2.28

-7.46%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.12 $2.12

$3.12 $3.12

-32.05%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.52 $11.52

$16.19 $16.19

-28.84%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.24 $16.24

$15.17 $15.17

7.05%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.13 $2.13

$2.67 $2.67

-20.22%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.87 $2.87

$3.48 $3.48

-17.53%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.89 $1.89

$2.54 $2.54

-25.59%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.16 $3.16

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.83 $1.83

$1.37 $1.37

33.58%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.90 $27.90

$22.66 $22.66

23.12%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.47 $1.47

$1.20 $1.20

22.50%

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

$37.6K $37.6K

$37.0K $37.0K

1.55%

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

$25.4K $25.4K

$26.0K $26.0K

-2.46%

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

$258 $258

$190 $190

36.06%

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

$75.9 $75.9

$68.5 $68.5

10.79%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$85.1 $85.1

$61.1 $61.1

39.46%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.15 $41.15

$63.8 $63.8

-35.48%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$19.20 $19.20

$18.28 $18.28

5.03%

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

$1,758 $1,758

$1,525 $1,525

15.34%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.7K $31.7K

$32.0K $32.0K

-1.02%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$71.0 $71.0

$64.0 $64.0

10.84%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$57.0 $57.0

$54.4 $54.4

4.76%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$114 $114

$101 $101

12.96%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$195 $195

$153 $153

27.29%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,593 $1,593

$2,421 $2,421

-34.19%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,521 $1,521

$1,690 $1,690

-10.02%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,539 $2,539

$4,584 $4,584

-44.61%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,684 $3,684

$2,782 $2,782

32.40%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,771 $2,771

$4,170 $4,170

-33.55%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,473 $2,473

$2,739 $2,739

-9.71%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,804 $2,804

$4,777 $4,777

-41.32%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.38

0.63%

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

Last update for Monterey Park, CA: September 1, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,593 in Monterey Park, CA versus $2,421 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 70% higher in Chicago, 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 $100 in Monterey Park, CA versus $88.0 in Chicago, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $447 in Monterey Park, CA vs $465 in Chicago, IL – so Monterey Park, CA wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $3,132 in Monterey Park, CA, $3,106 in Chicago, IL – roughly 1% apart. Monterey Park, CA costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,699 per month in Monterey Park, CA and $4,659 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 $100 in Monterey Park, CA and $88.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 4% cheaper in Monterey Park, CA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,132 in Monterey Park, CA and $3,106 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 $3,106 in Chicago, IL to $3,132 in Monterey Park, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Chicago, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Monterey Park, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.