Cost of Living Comparison Between Pueblo, CO and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Pueblo, CO and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,501 per month in Pueblo, CO vs $3,084 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,252 per month in Pueblo, CO vs $4,637 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,004 per month in Pueblo, CO vs $6,191 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Pueblo, CO is about 19% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Pueblo, CO and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Pueblo, CO by 87%, Chicago, IL by 131%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.14 $18.14

$20.81 $20.81

-12.83%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$64.7 $64.7

$98.6 $98.6

-34.41%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.34 $11.34

$11.90 $11.90

-4.71%

Cappuccino

$4.59 $4.59

$5.84 $5.84

-21.40%

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

$1.01 $1.01

$3.07 $3.07

-67.10%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.43 $2.43

$2.35 $2.35

3.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.87 $5.87

$6.87 $6.87

-14.56%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.35 $6.35

$8.07 $8.07

-21.31%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.00 $1.00

$1.05 $1.05

-4.76%

White Bread (500g)

$3.15 $3.15

$3.98 $3.98

-20.85%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.20 $3.20

$5.60 $5.60

-42.86%

Eggs

$4.10 $4.10

$4.55 $4.55

-9.89%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.97 $10.97

$14.20 $14.20

-22.75%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.62 $8.62

$14.90 $14.90

-42.15%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.64 $12.64

$19.08 $19.08

-33.75%

Apples (1kg)

$3.63 $3.63

$5.31 $5.31

-31.64%

Banana (1kg)

$1.27 $1.27

$1.71 $1.71

-25.73%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.79 $2.79

$4.24 $4.24

-34.20%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.17 $5.17

$4.37 $4.37

18.31%

Potato (1kg)

$2.00 $2.00

$2.56 $2.56

-21.88%

Onion (1kg)

$1.89 $1.89

$2.80 $2.80

-32.50%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.66 $1.66

$2.47 $2.47

-32.79%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.99 $1.99

$2.70 $2.70

-26.30%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.75 $7.75

$14.95 $14.95

-48.16%

Wine (Bottle)

$18.75 $18.75

$14.73 $14.73

27.29%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 $1.69

$2.37 $2.37

-28.69%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.80 $2.80

$3.57 $3.57

-21.57%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.02 $2.02

$2.44 $2.44

-17.21%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.2 $75.2

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.22 $2.22

$3.35 $3.35

-33.73%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.37 $1.37

3.65%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.14 $25.14

$25.29 $25.29

-0.59%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.83 $0.83

$1.09 $1.09

-23.85%

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

$27.8K $27.8K

$32.3K $32.3K

-13.92%

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

$25.7K $25.7K

$26.4K $26.4K

-2.78%

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

$165 $165

$188 $188

-12.04%

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

$43.12 $43.12

$63.3 $63.3

-31.84%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$75.3 $75.3

$66.2 $66.2

13.73%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.24 $43.24

$75.6 $75.6

-42.77%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.20 $13.20

Cinema Ticket

$9.96 $9.96

$14.80 $14.80

-32.70%

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

$1,547 $1,547

$2,097 $2,097

-26.21%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.4K $12.4K

$38.5K $38.5K

-67.86%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$33.63 $33.63

$64.9 $64.9

-48.16%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$91.7 $91.7

$51.6 $51.6

77.75%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$75.7 $75.7

$96.3 $96.3

-21.40%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$107 $107

$146 $146

-26.52%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,577 $1,577

$2,332 $2,332

-32.39%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,363 $1,363

$1,579 $1,579

-13.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,289 $1,289

$4,775 $4,775

-73.01%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,468 $1,468

$2,725 $2,725

-46.12%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$1,930 $1,930

$4,023 $4,023

-52.02%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,952 $1,952

$2,684 $2,684

-27.25%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,502 $3,502

$4,981 $4,981

-29.69%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.53

6.6

-1.06%

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

Last update for Pueblo, CO: July 21, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,577 in Pueblo, CO versus $2,332 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 42% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $65.0 in Pueblo, CO versus $99.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $339 vs $445 – making Pueblo, CO 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

Pueblo, CO vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,501 in Pueblo, CO, $3,084 in Chicago, IL – roughly 23% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,752 per month in Pueblo, CO and $4,626 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Pueblo, CO, 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 Pueblo, CO and $99.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 31% 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 Pueblo, CO, where all-in costs run around $2,501, than in Chicago, IL at $3,084. In Pueblo, CO 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 $2,501 in Pueblo, CO to $3,084 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Pueblo, CO. 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.