Cost of Living Comparison Between Redmond, WA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Redmond, WA and Chicago, IL

😐 Solo nomad: Redmond, WA is 10% more expensive than Chicago, IL without rent, and 29.3% more expensive with rent.
😐 Family of 3: Redmond, WA is 9.1% more expensive than Chicago, IL without rent, and 9.8% more expensive with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Redmond, WA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.09 $20.09
$20.82 $20.82
-3.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70 $70
$100 $100
-30.22%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.21 $12.21
$11.97 $11.97
2.01%
Cappuccino
$5.57 $5.57
$5.56 $5.56
0.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.55 $2.55
$3.11 $3.11
-18.01%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.44 $2.44
$2.42 $2.42
0.83%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.84 $7.84
$6.86 $6.86
14.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.99 $7.99
$8.45 $8.45
-5.44%
πŸ›’ Groceries & Markets
Redmond, WA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.34 $1.34
$1.04 $1.04
28.85%
White Bread (500g)
$4.95 $4.95
$4.15 $4.15
19.28%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.29 $4.29
$5.52 $5.52
-22.28%
Eggs
$4.23 $4.23
$4.65 $4.65
-9.03%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.61 $17.61
$14.33 $14.33
22.89%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.43 $10.43
$14.88 $14.88
-29.91%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.01 $17.01
$19.34 $19.34
-12.05%
Apples (1kg)
$8.11 $8.11
$5.17 $5.17
56.87%
Banana (1kg)
$2.87 $2.87
$1.71 $1.71
67.84%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.29 $4.29
$4.41 $4.41
-2.72%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.38 $5.38
$4.51 $4.51
19.29%
Potato (1kg)
$2.9 $2.9
$2.53 $2.53
14.62%
Onion (1kg)
$2.88 $2.88
$2.74 $2.74
5.11%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.48 $2.48
$2.43 $2.43
2.06%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.16 $3.16
$2.7 $2.7
17.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.45 $11.45
$15.19 $15.19
-24.62%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.78 $17.78
$16.42 $16.42
8.28%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.99 $1.99
$2.35 $2.35
-15.32%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.19 $4.19
$3.7 $3.7
13.24%
🚌 Getting Around
Redmond, WA
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.3 $3.3
$2.53 $2.53
30.43%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$89.9 $89.9
$74.1 $74.1
21.33%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.59 $2.59
$3.34 $3.34
-22.46%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.42 $1.42
20.42%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.86 $29.86
$25.42 $25.42
17.47%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.12 $1.12
$1.08 $1.08
3.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.4K $33.4K
$32.4K $32.4K
2.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26K $26K
$26.2K $26.2K
-0.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Redmond, WA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$263 $263
$188 $188
39.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.8 $59.8
$63.7 $63.7
-6.09%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$76.1 $76.1
$65.2 $65.2
16.75%
πŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Redmond, WA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$69.6 $69.6
$76.7 $76.7
-9.29%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$16.06 $16.06
$14.93 $14.93
7.57%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Redmond, WA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,275 $2,275
$2,063 $2,063
10.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$29.5K $29.5K
$39.2K $39.2K
-24.61%
πŸ‘•πŸ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Redmond, WA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.2 $52.2
$64.3 $64.3
-18.88%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.7 $52.7
$52.4 $52.4
0.63%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$91 $91
$95.2 $95.2
-4.47%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$139 $139
$145 $145
-4.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Redmond, WA
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,330 $2,330
$2,378 $2,378
-2.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,265 $2,265
$1,584 $1,584
42.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,781 $3,781
$4,763 $4,763
-20.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,553 $3,553
$2,815 $2,815
26.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,175 $7,175
$3,588 $3,588
99.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$7,063 $7,063
$2,490 $2,490
183.62%
πŸ’΅ Salaries & Financials
Redmond, WA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$9,480 $9,480
$5,275 $5,275
79.71%
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 Redmond, WA: October 28, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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