Cost of Living Comparison Between Moses Lake, WA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Moses Lake, WA and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,232 per month in Moses Lake, WA vs $3,077 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,236 per month in Moses Lake, WA vs $4,628 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,241 per month in Moses Lake, WA vs $6,179 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Moses Lake, WA is about 27% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Moses Lake, WA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Moses Lake, WA by 67%, Chicago, IL by 130%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.56 $16.56

$20.91 $20.91

-20.80%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$71.7 $71.7

$98.1 $98.1

-26.93%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.34 $7.34

$11.86 $11.86

-38.11%

Cappuccino

$4.09 $4.09

$5.60 $5.60

-26.96%

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

$2.94 $2.94

$3.07 $3.07

-4.23%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.97 $0.97

$2.47 $2.47

-60.73%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$4.03 $4.03

$7.14 $7.14

-43.56%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.91 $7.91

$8.08 $8.08

-2.10%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.00 $1.00

$1.05 $1.05

-4.76%

White Bread (500g)

$4.88 $4.88

$4.11 $4.11

18.73%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.83 $3.83

$5.61 $5.61

-31.73%

Eggs

$3.20 $3.20

$4.51 $4.51

-29.05%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.99 $10.99

$14.27 $14.27

-22.99%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.08 $10.08

$14.89 $14.89

-32.30%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.54 $13.54

$19.19 $19.19

-29.44%

Apples (1kg)

$6.25 $6.25

$5.14 $5.14

21.60%

Banana (1kg)

$1.74 $1.74

$1.77 $1.77

-1.69%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.50 $5.50

$4.39 $4.39

25.28%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.96 $5.96

$4.56 $4.56

30.70%

Potato (1kg)

$3.16 $3.16

$2.54 $2.54

24.41%

Onion (1kg)

$3.80 $3.80

$2.75 $2.75

38.18%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.68 $2.68

$2.42 $2.42

10.74%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.05 $2.05

$2.62 $2.62

-21.76%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.36 $11.36

$14.92 $14.92

-23.86%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.30 $15.30

$14.80 $14.80

3.38%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.82 $1.82

$2.46 $2.46

-26.02%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.33 $3.33

$3.73 $3.73

-10.72%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.03 $2.03

$2.48 $2.48

-18.15%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.48 $2.48

$3.18 $3.18

-22.01%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.58 $1.58

$1.42 $1.42

11.27%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.87 $29.87

$24.94 $24.94

19.77%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.07 $1.07

$1.06 $1.06

0.94%

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

$31.6K $31.6K

$31.9K $31.9K

-0.91%

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

$25.6K $25.6K

$26.0K $26.0K

-1.71%

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

$157 $157

$185 $185

-15.21%

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

$59.7 $59.7

$61.7 $61.7

-3.32%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$74.7 $74.7

$66.9 $66.9

11.60%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.31 $42.31

$75.2 $75.2

-43.71%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$15.58 $15.58

$14.71 $14.71

5.91%

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

$247 $247

$2,020 $2,020

-87.78%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.9K $29.9K

$39.4K $39.4K

-24.11%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$49.91 $49.91

$64.6 $64.6

-22.75%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$24.95 $24.95

$52.5 $52.5

-52.43%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$48.18 $48.18

$97.8 $97.8

-50.75%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$79.9 $79.9

$148 $148

-45.88%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,281 $1,281

$2,313 $2,313

-44.61%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,118 $1,118

$1,590 $1,590

-29.70%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,800 $1,800

$4,608 $4,608

-60.94%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,670 $1,670

$2,779 $2,779

-39.91%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,697 $2,697

$3,922 $3,922

-31.21%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,760 $2,760

$2,613 $2,613

5.63%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$9,015 $9,015

$5,217 $5,217

72.79%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.42

6.6

-2.73%

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

Last update for Moses Lake, WA: June 1, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,281 in Moses Lake, WA versus $2,313 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 73% higher in Moses Lake, WA, 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 $72.0 in Moses Lake, WA versus $98.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $403 vs $447 – making Moses Lake, WA 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

Moses Lake, WA vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,232 in Moses Lake, WA, $3,077 in Chicago, IL – roughly 38% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,348 per month in Moses Lake, WA and $4,616 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Moses Lake, WA, 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 $72.0 in Moses Lake, WA and $98.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 11% 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.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Moses Lake, WA, where all-in costs run around $2,232, than in Chicago, IL at $3,077. In Moses Lake, WA it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,232 in Moses Lake, WA to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Moses Lake, WA. 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.