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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,337 per month in Santa Rosa, CA vs $3,009 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,922 per month in Santa Rosa, CA vs $4,593 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,507 per month in Santa Rosa, CA vs $6,177 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

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

Both Santa Rosa, CA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Santa Rosa, CA by 149%, Chicago, IL by 125%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$22.60 $22.60

$20.35 $20.35

11.06%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.8 $80.8

$102 $102

-20.57%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$11.98 $11.98

-1.00%

Cappuccino

$4.96 $4.96

$5.70 $5.70

-12.98%

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

$2.90 $2.90

$3.00 $3.00

-3.33%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.82 $2.82

$2.46 $2.46

14.63%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.59 $7.59

$6.87 $6.87

10.48%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.37 $8.37

$8.09 $8.09

3.46%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.18 $1.18

$1.03 $1.03

14.56%

White Bread (500g)

$4.90 $4.90

$3.95 $3.95

24.05%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.36 $4.36

$5.42 $5.42

-19.56%

Eggs

$5.20 $5.20

$4.50 $4.50

15.56%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.53 $16.53

$14.53 $14.53

13.76%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.39 $11.39

$14.89 $14.89

-23.51%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.99 $19.99

$18.98 $18.98

5.32%

Apples (1kg)

$8.02 $8.02

$5.39 $5.39

48.79%

Banana (1kg)

$2.89 $2.89

$1.77 $1.77

63.28%

Oranges (1kg)

$8.14 $8.14

$4.35 $4.35

87.13%

Tomato (1kg)

$8.37 $8.37

$4.53 $4.53

84.77%

Potato (1kg)

$4.03 $4.03

$2.53 $2.53

59.29%

Onion (1kg)

$3.88 $3.88

$2.81 $2.81

38.08%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.02 $3.02

$2.51 $2.51

20.32%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.12 $2.12

$2.67 $2.67

-20.60%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.18 $12.18

$14.88 $14.88

-18.15%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.83 $11.83

$15.22 $15.22

-22.27%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 $1.80

$2.46 $2.46

-26.83%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.63 $2.63

$3.53 $3.53

-25.50%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.69 $2.69

$2.56 $2.56

5.08%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.77 $29.77

$74.3 $74.3

-59.93%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.08 $4.08

$3.19 $3.19

27.90%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.89 $1.89

$1.41 $1.41

34.04%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.13 $29.13

$25.49 $25.49

14.28%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.32 $1.32

$1.04 $1.04

26.92%

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

$34.5K $34.5K

$32.2K $32.2K

7.14%

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

$27.7K $27.7K

$26.8K $26.8K

3.30%

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

$242 $242

$184 $184

31.76%

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

$49.70 $49.70

$63.1 $63.1

-21.25%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$73.1 $73.1

$66.4 $66.4

10.03%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$65.5 $65.5

$75.9 $75.9

-13.75%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.06 $15.06

$13.06 $13.06

15.31%

Cinema Ticket

$14.08 $14.08

$15.25 $15.25

-7.67%

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

$1,898 $1,898

$2,090 $2,090

-9.21%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.6K $39.6K

$39.2K $39.2K

0.83%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$57.4 $57.4

$64.2 $64.2

-10.55%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.98 $43.98

$51.0 $51.0

-13.76%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$108 $108

$97.2 $97.2

10.65%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$131 $131

$149 $149

-12.14%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,245 $2,245

$2,341 $2,341

-4.08%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,899 $1,899

$1,572 $1,572

20.76%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,753 $3,753

$4,741 $4,741

-20.85%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,249 $3,249

$2,819 $2,819

15.25%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,683 $4,683

$3,900 $3,900

20.07%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,681 $4,681

$2,638 $2,638

77.45%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,624 $4,624

$4,769 $4,769

-3.04%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.52

6.6

-1.21%

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

Last update for Santa Rosa, CA: April 26, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,245 in Santa Rosa, CA versus $2,341 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 3% 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 $81.0 in Santa Rosa, CA versus $102 in Chicago, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $493 in Santa Rosa, CA vs $447 in Chicago, IL – so Chicago, IL wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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

Monthly costs with rent: $3,337 in Santa Rosa, CA, $3,009 in Chicago, IL – roughly 11% apart. Santa Rosa, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,006 per month in Santa Rosa, 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.

Groceries cost about 10% more in Santa Rosa, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $81.0 in Santa Rosa, CA and $102 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 $3,337 in Santa Rosa, 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 $3,337 in Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.