Cost of Living Comparison Between Santa Maria, CA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Santa Maria, CA and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,198 per month in Santa Maria, CA vs $3,068 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,367 per month in Santa Maria, CA vs $4,648 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,536 per month in Santa Maria, CA vs $6,229 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Santa Maria, CA costs about 4% more than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Santa Maria, CA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Santa Maria, CA by 139%, Chicago, IL by 130%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.62 $19.62

$20.17 $20.17

-2.73%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$70.4 $70.4

$99.5 $99.5

-29.26%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.57 $11.57

$12.23 $12.23

-5.40%

Cappuccino

$4.97 $4.97

$5.60 $5.60

-11.25%

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

$2.52 $2.52

$3.12 $3.12

-19.23%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.99 $1.99

$2.43 $2.43

-18.11%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.97 $5.97

$6.93 $6.93

-13.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.82 $7.82

$8.20 $8.20

-4.63%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.99 $0.99

$1.08 $1.08

-8.33%

White Bread (500g)

$2.71 $2.71

$3.97 $3.97

-31.74%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$5.58 $5.58

-12.90%

Eggs

$3.47 $3.47

$4.47 $4.47

-22.37%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.08 $10.08

$14.50 $14.50

-30.48%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.25 $8.25

$15.08 $15.08

-45.29%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.00 $17.00

$19.34 $19.34

-12.10%

Apples (1kg)

$3.71 $3.71

$5.37 $5.37

-30.91%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.76 $1.76

-3.98%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.47 $3.47

$4.32 $4.32

-19.68%

Tomato (1kg)

$3.36 $3.36

$4.41 $4.41

-23.81%

Potato (1kg)

$2.93 $2.93

$2.54 $2.54

15.35%

Onion (1kg)

$2.13 $2.13

$2.70 $2.70

-21.11%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.76 $1.76

$2.49 $2.49

-29.32%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.37 $1.37

$2.60 $2.60

-47.31%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.96 $10.96

$14.80 $14.80

-25.95%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.28 $15.28

$15.18 $15.18

0.66%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 $1.75

$2.47 $2.47

-29.15%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.38 $3.38

$3.60 $3.60

-6.11%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.04 $2.04

$2.54 $2.54

-19.69%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.3 $76.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.36 $3.36

$3.30 $3.30

1.82%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.81 $1.81

$1.38 $1.38

31.16%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.87 $24.87

$25.36 $25.36

-1.93%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.24 $1.24

$1.09 $1.09

13.76%

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

$36.8K $36.8K

$31.6K $31.6K

16.38%

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

$29.7K $29.7K

$26.6K $26.6K

11.72%

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

$167 $167

$186 $186

-10.02%

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

$49.67 $49.67

$62.9 $62.9

-20.98%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$84.1 $84.1

$66.2 $66.2

27.00%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.26 $42.26

$77.6 $77.6

-45.56%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.16 $13.16

Cinema Ticket

$14.67 $14.67

$14.74 $14.74

-0.47%

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

$971 $971

$2,039 $2,039

-52.38%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.2K $13.2K

$39.9K $39.9K

-66.86%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.3 $55.3

$63.9 $63.9

-13.41%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.59 $40.59

$51.2 $51.2

-20.68%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$71.3 $71.3

$95.2 $95.2

-25.11%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$78.7 $78.7

$144 $144

-45.37%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,232 $2,232

$2,305 $2,305

-3.18%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,025 $2,025

$1,575 $1,575

28.55%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,331 $3,331

$4,688 $4,688

-28.95%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,075 $3,075

$2,737 $2,737

12.35%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$8,476 $8,476

$4,063 $4,063

108.59%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$8,475 $8,475

$2,696 $2,696

214.34%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,198 $4,198

$5,019 $5,019

-16.36%

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 Santa Maria, CA: July 14, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,232 in Santa Maria, CA versus $2,305 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 $70.0 in Santa Maria, CA versus $99.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $335 vs $448 – making Santa Maria, 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

Santa Maria, CA vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,198 in Santa Maria, CA, $3,068 in Chicago, IL – roughly 4% apart. Santa Maria, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,797 per month in Santa Maria, CA and $4,602 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 $70.0 in Santa Maria, CA and $99.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 34% cheaper in Santa Maria, CA – 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 $3,198 in Santa Maria, CA and $3,068 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 $3,068 in Chicago, IL to $3,198 in Santa Maria, CA. 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, Santa Maria, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.