Cost of Living Comparison Between San Clemente, CA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between San Clemente, CA and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,353 per month in San Clemente, CA vs $3,009 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,895 per month in San Clemente, CA vs $4,576 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,437 per month in San Clemente, CA vs $6,143 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

San Clemente, CA costs about 11% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both San Clemente, CA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – San Clemente, CA by 152%, Chicago, IL by 126%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$22.98 $22.98

$20.27 $20.27

13.37%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.9 $98.9

$101 $101

-1.87%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.93 $14.93

$12.04 $12.04

24.00%

Cappuccino

$4.89 $4.89

$5.76 $5.76

-15.10%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$2.97 $2.97

3.37%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.38 $2.38

3.78%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.02 $7.02

$7.20 $7.20

-2.50%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.80 $7.80

$8.05 $8.05

-3.11%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$1.09 $1.09

-2.75%

White Bread (500g)

$4.37 $4.37

$4.12 $4.12

6.07%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.48 $4.48

$5.29 $5.29

-15.31%

Eggs

$3.96 $3.96

$4.56 $4.56

-13.16%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.70 $13.70

$14.45 $14.45

-5.19%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.43 $12.43

$14.79 $14.79

-15.96%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.46 $18.46

$19.56 $19.56

-5.62%

Apples (1kg)

$4.61 $4.61

$5.42 $5.42

-14.94%

Banana (1kg)

$1.72 $1.72

$1.71 $1.71

0.58%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.04 $4.04

$4.18 $4.18

-3.35%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.78 $4.78

$4.59 $4.59

4.14%

Potato (1kg)

$2.95 $2.95

$2.48 $2.48

18.95%

Onion (1kg)

$2.35 $2.35

$2.72 $2.72

-13.60%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.47 $2.47

-7.69%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.40 $2.40

$2.72 $2.72

-11.76%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.45 $7.45

$14.78 $14.78

-49.59%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.27 $15.27

$15.30 $15.30

-0.20%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.83 $1.83

$2.35 $2.35

-22.13%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$3.74 $3.74

-33.96%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.70 $2.70

$2.47 $2.47

9.31%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$46.79 $46.79

$74.0 $74.0

-36.80%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.96 $2.96

$3.32 $3.32

-10.84%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.63 $1.63

$1.37 $1.37

18.98%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.46 $27.46

$24.65 $24.65

11.40%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26 $1.26

$1.05 $1.05

20.00%

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

$27.5K $27.5K

$32.4K $32.4K

-15.16%

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

$26.6K $26.6K

$26.1K $26.1K

2.09%

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

$247 $247

$186 $186

32.67%

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

$67.2 $67.2

$62.6 $62.6

7.28%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$78.9 $78.9

$67.5 $67.5

16.92%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$44.89 $44.89

$75.2 $75.2

-40.31%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.21 $17.21

$13.38 $13.38

28.62%

Cinema Ticket

$14.93 $14.93

$15.10 $15.10

-1.13%

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

$1,006 $1,006

$2,023 $2,023

-50.25%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.2K $29.2K

$39.9K $39.9K

-26.73%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$59.5 $59.5

$64.2 $64.2

-7.39%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.48 $29.48

$51.2 $51.2

-42.40%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.7 $88.7

$96.2 $96.2

-7.77%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$117 $117

$147 $147

-20.50%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,277 $2,277

$2,329 $2,329

-2.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,955 $1,955

$1,570 $1,570

24.55%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,148 $4,148

$4,677 $4,677

-11.31%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,303 $3,303

$2,810 $2,810

17.54%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$6,430 $6,430

$4,082 $4,082

57.52%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,234 $3,234

$2,645 $2,645

22.30%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,054 $4,054

$4,883 $4,883

-16.98%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

-24.24%

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

Last update for San Clemente, CA: July 25, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,277 in San Clemente, CA versus $2,329 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 20% 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 $99.0 in San Clemente, CA versus $101 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $416 vs $450 – making San Clemente, 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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $3,353 in San Clemente, CA, $3,009 in Chicago, IL – roughly 11% apart. San Clemente, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,030 per month in San Clemente, CA and $4,513 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.

Interestingly, groceries are about 8% cheaper in San Clemente, CA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $99.0 in San Clemente, CA and $101 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,353 in San Clemente, CA and $3,009 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 $3,009 in Chicago, IL to $3,353 in San Clemente, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

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