Cost of Living Comparison Between Salem, OH and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Salem, OH and Chicago, IL

🙂 Solo nomad: Salem, OH is 27.4% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 20.7% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Salem, OH is 40.4% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 28.2% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Salem, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.01 $14.01
$20.82 $20.82
-32.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.35 $49.35
$100 $100
-50.82%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.19 $10.19
$11.97 $11.97
-14.87%
Cappuccino
$3.02 $3.02
$5.56 $5.56
-45.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25 $2.25
$3.11 $3.11
-27.65%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28 $1.28
$2.42 $2.42
-47.11%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.01 $4.01
$6.86 $6.86
-41.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.05 $4.05
$8.45 $8.45
-52.07%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Salem, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.76 $0.76
$1.04 $1.04
-26.92%
White Bread (500g)
$2.9 $2.9
$4.15 $4.15
-30.12%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4 $4
$5.52 $5.52
-27.54%
Eggs
$2.66 $2.66
$4.65 $4.65
-42.80%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.61 $8.61
$14.33 $14.33
-39.92%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.69 $11.69
$14.88 $14.88
-21.44%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.49 $15.49
$19.34 $19.34
-19.91%
Apples (1kg)
$3.96 $3.96
$5.17 $5.17
-23.40%
Banana (1kg)
$1.85 $1.85
$1.71 $1.71
8.19%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.37 $3.37
$4.41 $4.41
-23.58%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.84 $3.84
$4.51 $4.51
-14.86%
Potato (1kg)
$2.25 $2.25
$2.53 $2.53
-11.07%
Onion (1kg)
$1.96 $1.96
$2.74 $2.74
-28.47%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.45 $2.45
$2.43 $2.43
0.82%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.2 $2.2
$2.7 $2.7
-18.52%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.08 $10.08
$15.19 $15.19
-33.64%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.56 $11.56
$16.42 $16.42
-29.60%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.93 $1.93
$2.35 $2.35
-17.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.14 $3.14
$3.7 $3.7
-15.14%
🚌 Getting Around
Salem, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.96 $1.96
$2.53 $2.53
-22.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$74.1 $74.1
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.44 $2.44
$3.34 $3.34
-26.95%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.24 $1.24
$1.42 $1.42
-12.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$40.53 $40.53
$25.42 $25.42
59.44%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.88 $0.88
$1.08 $1.08
-18.52%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.8K $28.8K
$32.4K $32.4K
-11.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.7K $25.7K
$26.2K $26.2K
-2.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Salem, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$201 $201
$188 $188
6.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$50.2 $50.2
$63.7 $63.7
-21.19%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$74.5 $74.5
$65.2 $65.2
14.26%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Salem, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.04 $43.04
$76.7 $76.7
-43.90%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.32 $11.32
$14.93 $14.93
-24.18%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Salem, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$500 $500
$2,063 $2,063
-75.75%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.5K $14.5K
$39.2K $39.2K
-62.99%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Salem, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.77 $42.77
$64.3 $64.3
-33.49%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.5 $39.5
$52.4 $52.4
-24.60%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$69.6 $69.6
$95.2 $95.2
-26.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$66.8 $66.8
$145 $145
-53.84%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Salem, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,579 $1,579
$2,378 $2,378
-33.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,368 $1,368
$1,584 $1,584
-13.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,663 $2,663
$4,763 $4,763
-44.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,201 $2,201
$2,815 $2,815
-21.81%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,072 $3,072
$3,588 $3,588
-14.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,240 $2,240
$2,490 $2,490
-10.05%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Salem, OH
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$5,275 $5,275
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
6.6
-1.36%

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

Last update for Salem, OH: October 27, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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