Cost of Living Comparison Between Oxnard, CA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Oxnard, CA and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,255 per month in Oxnard, CA vs $3,106 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,270 per month in Oxnard, CA vs $4,599 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,285 per month in Oxnard, CA vs $6,092 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Oxnard, CA costs about 5% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Oxnard, CA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Oxnard, CA by 137%, Chicago, IL by 126%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.34 $20.34

$19.86 $19.86

2.42%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$65.2 $65.2

$88.3 $88.3

-26.18%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.70 $12.70

$13.23 $13.23

-4.01%

Cappuccino

$5.81 $5.81

$5.86 $5.86

-0.85%

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

$3.09 $3.09

$2.61 $2.61

18.39%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.34 $2.34

$2.32 $2.32

0.86%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$8.03 $8.03

$7.03 $7.03

14.22%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$10.07 $10.07

$9.25 $9.25

8.86%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.35 $1.35

$1.34 $1.34

0.75%

White Bread (500g)

$5.64 $5.64

$4.19 $4.19

34.61%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.91 $4.91

$5.50 $5.50

-10.73%

Eggs

$5.64 $5.64

$4.71 $4.71

19.75%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.23 $12.23

$14.72 $14.72

-16.92%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.47 $13.47

$14.53 $14.53

-7.30%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.53 $20.53

$19.69 $19.69

4.27%

Apples (1kg)

$4.29 $4.29

$5.64 $5.64

-23.94%

Banana (1kg)

$1.86 $1.86

$1.97 $1.97

-5.58%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.54 $4.54

$4.04 $4.04

12.38%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.06 $5.06

$5.07 $5.07

-0.20%

Potato (1kg)

$3.24 $3.24

$2.94 $2.94

10.20%

Onion (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$2.92 $2.92

-34.25%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.10 $2.10

$2.28 $2.28

-7.89%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.20 $2.20

$3.12 $3.12

-29.49%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.17 $10.17

$16.19 $16.19

-37.18%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.43 $16.43

$15.17 $15.17

8.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 $1.75

$2.67 $2.67

-34.46%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.13 $3.13

$3.48 $3.48

-10.06%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.53 $1.53

$2.54 $2.54

-39.76%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.03 $3.03

$3.16 $3.16

-4.11%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.37 $1.37

54.01%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.31 $28.31

$22.66 $22.66

24.93%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.21 $1.21

$1.20 $1.20

0.83%

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

$37.1K $37.1K

$37.0K $37.0K

0.15%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$26.0K $26.0K

0.51%

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

$128 $128

$190 $190

-32.36%

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

$52.9 $52.9

$68.5 $68.5

-22.81%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$70.5 $70.5

$61.1 $61.1

15.53%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$60.9 $60.9

$63.8 $63.8

-4.45%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$15.41 $15.41

$18.28 $18.28

-15.70%

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

$1,209 $1,209

$1,525 $1,525

-20.67%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$36.7K $36.7K

$32.0K $32.0K

14.80%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$37.63 $37.63

$64.0 $64.0

-41.22%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.6 $56.6

$54.4 $54.4

4.03%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$60.4 $60.4

$101 $101

-39.93%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$81.3 $81.3

$153 $153

-47.03%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,047 $2,047

$2,421 $2,421

-15.43%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,977 $1,977

$1,690 $1,690

16.98%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,294 $3,294

$4,584 $4,584

-28.15%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,436 $2,436

$2,782 $2,782

-12.46%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,901 $5,901

$4,170 $4,170

41.52%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,830 $5,830

$2,739 $2,739

112.89%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,404 $3,404

$4,777 $4,777

-28.75%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.1

6.38

-4.39%

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

Last update for Oxnard, CA: August 29, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,047 in Oxnard, 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 40% 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 $65.0 in Oxnard, CA versus $88.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $450 vs $465 – making Oxnard, CA 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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $3,255 in Oxnard, CA, $3,106 in Chicago, IL – roughly 5% apart. Oxnard, CA costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,883 per month in Oxnard, 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 $65.0 in Oxnard, 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 3% cheaper in Oxnard, 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 $3,255 in Oxnard, 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 $3,255 in Oxnard, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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