Cost of Living Comparison Between Oak Harbor, WA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Oak Harbor, WA and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,389 per month in Oak Harbor, WA vs $3,117 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,555 per month in Oak Harbor, WA vs $4,601 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,721 per month in Oak Harbor, WA vs $6,085 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Oak Harbor, WA costs about 9% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Oak Harbor, WA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Oak Harbor, WA by 154%, Chicago, IL by 134%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$21.76 $21.76

$20.18 $20.18

7.83%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$69.0 $69.0

$101 $101

-31.80%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$18.81 $18.81

$12.09 $12.09

55.58%

Cappuccino

$7.19 $7.19

$5.75 $5.75

25.04%

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

$2.42 $2.42

$2.98 $2.98

-18.79%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 $1.57

$2.46 $2.46

-36.18%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.99 $7.99

$7.04 $7.04

13.49%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.32 $6.32

$8.27 $8.27

-23.58%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.12 $1.12

$1.08 $1.08

3.70%

White Bread (500g)

$4.21 $4.21

$4.14 $4.14

1.69%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.96 $5.96

$5.38 $5.38

10.78%

Eggs

$5.64 $5.64

$4.52 $4.52

24.78%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$19.97 $19.97

$14.25 $14.25

40.14%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.49 $12.49

$15.04 $15.04

-16.95%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.88 $19.88

$18.84 $18.84

5.52%

Apples (1kg)

$7.54 $7.54

$5.13 $5.13

46.98%

Banana (1kg)

$1.30 $1.30

$1.70 $1.70

-23.53%

Oranges (1kg)

$8.52 $8.52

$4.24 $4.24

100.94%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.85 $6.85

$4.43 $4.43

54.63%

Potato (1kg)

$3.76 $3.76

$2.57 $2.57

46.30%

Onion (1kg)

$5.02 $5.02

$2.73 $2.73

83.88%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.61 $2.61

$2.52 $2.52

3.57%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.19 $2.19

$2.62 $2.62

-16.41%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.47 $8.47

$14.91 $14.91

-43.19%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.91 $12.91

$15.19 $15.19

-15.01%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.65 $2.65

$2.46 $2.46

7.72%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.95 $3.95

$3.74 $3.74

5.61%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.97 $1.97

$2.48 $2.48

-20.56%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$57.5 $57.5

$73.6 $73.6

-21.88%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.43 $3.43

$3.31 $3.31

3.63%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.63 $1.63

$1.36 $1.36

19.85%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.24 $29.24

$25.06 $25.06

16.68%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$1.05 $1.05

16.19%

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

$29.7K $29.7K

$32.6K $32.6K

-8.82%

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

$25.1K $25.1K

$26.5K $26.5K

-5.23%

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

$386 $386

$187 $187

106.17%

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

$63.2 $63.2

$63.6 $63.6

-0.63%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$82.9 $82.9

$66.0 $66.0

25.62%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$27.27 $27.27

$77.1 $77.1

-64.63%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.92 $12.92

Cinema Ticket

$14.45 $14.45

$15.15 $15.15

-4.62%

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

$1,317 $1,317

$2,029 $2,029

-35.12%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.0K $23.0K

$38.7K $38.7K

-40.43%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.5 $53.5

$63.5 $63.5

-15.80%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.91 $37.91

$52.1 $52.1

-27.19%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$118 $118

$96.1 $96.1

22.82%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$195 $195

$148 $148

31.82%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,318 $2,318

$2,343 $2,343

-1.05%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,586 $1,586

$1,623 $1,623

-2.27%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,908 $2,908

$4,601 $4,601

-36.78%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,088 $2,088

$2,774 $2,774

-24.76%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,060 $4,060

$3,933 $3,933

3.22%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,006 $4,006

$2,562 $2,562

56.35%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,351 $3,351

$5,176 $5,176

-35.25%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.06%

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

Last update for Oak Harbor, WA: June 14, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,318 in Oak Harbor, WA versus $2,343 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 54% 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 $69.0 in Oak Harbor, WA versus $101 in Chicago, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $501 in Oak Harbor, WA vs $446 in Chicago, IL – so Chicago, IL 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

Oak Harbor, WA vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,389 in Oak Harbor, WA, $3,117 in Chicago, IL – roughly 9% apart. Oak Harbor, WA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,083 per month in Oak Harbor, WA and $4,675 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.

Groceries cost about 12% more in Oak Harbor, WA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $69.0 in Oak Harbor, WA and $101 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,389 in Oak Harbor, WA and $3,117 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 $3,117 in Chicago, IL to $3,389 in Oak Harbor, WA. 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, Oak Harbor, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.