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 $3,334 per month in Santa Rosa, CA vs $3,009 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,894 per month in Santa Rosa, CA vs $4,576 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,455 per month in Santa Rosa, CA vs $6,143 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 151%, Chicago, IL by 126%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$22.87 $22.87

$20.27 $20.27

12.83%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$79.4 $79.4

$101 $101

-21.20%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.20 $12.20

$12.04 $12.04

1.33%

Cappuccino

$4.91 $4.91

$5.76 $5.76

-14.76%

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

$2.95 $2.95

$2.97 $2.97

-0.67%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.91 $2.91

$2.38 $2.38

22.27%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.56 $7.56

$7.20 $7.20

5.00%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.39 $8.39

$8.05 $8.05

4.22%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$1.09 $1.09

7.34%

White Bread (500g)

$4.75 $4.75

$4.12 $4.12

15.29%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$5.29 $5.29

-14.74%

Eggs

$5.37 $5.37

$4.56 $4.56

17.76%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.43 $16.43

$14.45 $14.45

13.70%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.21 $11.21

$14.79 $14.79

-24.21%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$20.50 $20.50

$19.56 $19.56

4.81%

Apples (1kg)

$7.84 $7.84

$5.42 $5.42

44.65%

Banana (1kg)

$2.89 $2.89

$1.71 $1.71

69.01%

Oranges (1kg)

$8.27 $8.27

$4.18 $4.18

97.85%

Tomato (1kg)

$8.29 $8.29

$4.59 $4.59

80.61%

Potato (1kg)

$3.92 $3.92

$2.48 $2.48

58.06%

Onion (1kg)

$3.96 $3.96

$2.72 $2.72

45.59%

Lettuce (1 head)

$3.12 $3.12

$2.47 $2.47

26.32%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.01 $2.01

$2.72 $2.72

-26.10%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$12.06 $12.06

$14.78 $14.78

-18.40%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.13 $12.13

$15.30 $15.30

-20.72%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.80 $1.80

$2.35 $2.35

-23.40%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.67 $2.67

$3.74 $3.74

-28.61%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.81 $2.81

$2.47 $2.47

13.77%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.54 $30.54

$74.0 $74.0

-58.75%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.02 $4.02

$3.32 $3.32

21.08%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.95 $1.95

$1.37 $1.37

42.34%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.85 $28.85

$24.65 $24.65

17.04%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.27 $1.27

$1.05 $1.05

20.95%

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

$34.7K $34.7K

$32.4K $32.4K

7.11%

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

$27.7K $27.7K

$26.1K $26.1K

6.22%

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

$241 $241

$186 $186

29.14%

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

$50.8 $50.8

$62.6 $62.6

-18.83%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$73.9 $73.9

$67.5 $67.5

9.48%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$64.5 $64.5

$75.2 $75.2

-14.29%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$15.18 $15.18

$13.38 $13.38

13.45%

Cinema Ticket

$14.19 $14.19

$15.10 $15.10

-6.03%

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

$1,864 $1,864

$2,023 $2,023

-7.87%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$40.0K $40.0K

$39.9K $39.9K

0.18%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.7 $58.7

$64.2 $64.2

-8.66%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.03 $44.03

$51.2 $51.2

-13.97%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$109 $109

$96.2 $96.2

13.33%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$130 $130

$147 $147

-12.02%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,297 $2,297

$2,329 $2,329

-1.34%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,915 $1,915

$1,570 $1,570

22.00%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,693 $3,693

$4,677 $4,677

-21.04%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,160 $3,160

$2,810 $2,810

12.46%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,621 $4,621

$4,082 $4,082

13.22%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,829 $4,829

$2,645 $2,645

82.61%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,586 $4,586

$4,883 $4,883

-6.08%

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: July 26, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,297 in Santa Rosa, 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 6% 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 $79.0 in Santa Rosa, CA versus $101 in Chicago, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $491 in Santa Rosa, CA vs $450 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: $3,334 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 $5,001 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 9% 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 $79.0 in Santa Rosa, 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 $3,334 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 $3,334 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.