Cost of Living Comparison Between Queen Creek, AZ and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Queen Creek, AZ and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,428 per month in Queen Creek, AZ vs $3,051 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,768 per month in Queen Creek, AZ vs $4,638 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,107 per month in Queen Creek, AZ vs $6,224 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Queen Creek, AZ costs about 12% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Queen Creek, AZ and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Queen Creek, AZ by 156%, Chicago, IL by 128%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.59 $18.59

$20.67 $20.67

-10.06%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$74.2 $74.2

$100 $100

-26.10%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.01 $5.01

$11.86 $11.86

-57.76%

Cappuccino

$5.30 $5.30

$5.54 $5.54

-4.33%

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

$2.87 $2.87

$3.06 $3.06

-6.21%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.48 $2.48

-8.06%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.91 $5.91

$6.92 $6.92

-14.60%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.14 $6.14

$8.13 $8.13

-24.48%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.71 $0.71

$1.04 $1.04

-31.73%

White Bread (500g)

$2.46 $2.46

$3.91 $3.91

-37.08%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$5.42 $5.42

-48.15%

Eggs

$3.57 $3.57

$4.48 $4.48

-20.31%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.12 $11.12

$14.52 $14.52

-23.42%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.82 $11.82

$15.21 $15.21

-22.29%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.12 $15.12

$19.25 $19.25

-21.45%

Apples (1kg)

$4.87 $4.87

$5.39 $5.39

-9.65%

Banana (1kg)

$1.58 $1.58

$1.69 $1.69

-6.51%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.04 $3.04

$4.32 $4.32

-29.63%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.60 $2.60

$4.51 $4.51

-42.35%

Potato (1kg)

$2.49 $2.49

$2.56 $2.56

-2.73%

Onion (1kg)

$2.07 $2.07

$2.70 $2.70

-23.33%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.28 $1.28

$2.41 $2.41

-46.89%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.43 $2.43

$2.62 $2.62

-7.25%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$8.99 $8.99

$15.02 $15.02

-40.15%

Wine (Bottle)

$10.28 $10.28

$14.71 $14.71

-30.12%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.09 $2.09

$2.48 $2.48

-15.73%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.47 $3.47

$3.69 $3.69

-5.96%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$5.10 $5.10

$2.55 $2.55

100.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.67 $2.67

$3.29 $3.29

-18.84%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.33 $1.33

$1.43 $1.43

-6.99%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$36.70 $36.70

$24.72 $24.72

48.46%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.87 $0.87

$1.09 $1.09

-20.18%

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

$31.7K $31.7K

$31.8K $31.8K

-0.32%

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

$25.9K $25.9K

$26.4K $26.4K

-2.09%

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

$272 $272

$183 $183

48.41%

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

$69.7 $69.7

$61.8 $61.8

12.73%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$74.7 $74.7

$65.0 $65.0

14.82%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$25.06 $25.06

$76.1 $76.1

-67.06%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.91 $14.91

$13.04 $13.04

14.34%

Cinema Ticket

$11.77 $11.77

$14.75 $14.75

-20.20%

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

$594 $594

$2,056 $2,056

-71.12%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.7K $15.7K

$38.5K $38.5K

-59.28%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.59 $46.59

$63.9 $63.9

-27.12%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.80 $19.80

$51.6 $51.6

-61.62%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.7 $84.7

$97.3 $97.3

-12.87%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$104 $104

$147 $147

-29.39%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,719 $2,719

$2,349 $2,349

15.75%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,137 $2,137

$1,581 $1,581

35.18%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,107 $4,107

$4,708 $4,708

-12.77%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,298 $3,298

$2,716 $2,716

21.43%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,218 $4,218

$4,723 $4,723

-10.71%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.54

6.6

-0.91%

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

Last update for Queen Creek, AZ: April 22, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,719 in Queen Creek, AZ versus $2,349 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 12% 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 $74 in Queen Creek, AZ versus $100 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $338 vs $447 – making Queen Creek, AZ 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

Queen Creek, AZ vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,428 in Queen Creek, AZ, $3,051 in Chicago, IL – roughly 12% apart. Queen Creek, AZ costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,143 per month in Queen Creek, AZ and $4,577 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 $74.0 in Queen Creek, AZ and $100 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 32% cheaper in Queen Creek, AZ – 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 $3,428 in Queen Creek, AZ and $3,051 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 $3,051 in Chicago, IL to $3,428 in Queen Creek, AZ. 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, Queen Creek, AZ makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.