Cost of Living Comparison Between Scottsdale, AZ and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Scottsdale, AZ and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Scottsdale, AZ vs $3,077 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,338 per month in Scottsdale, AZ vs $4,628 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,624 per month in Scottsdale, AZ vs $6,179 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Scottsdale, AZ is about 1% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Scottsdale, AZ and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Scottsdale, AZ by 128%, Chicago, IL by 130%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.51 $18.51

$20.91 $20.91

-11.48%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$75.7 $75.7

$98.1 $98.1

-22.85%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.23 $12.23

$11.86 $11.86

3.12%

Cappuccino

$5.50 $5.50

$5.60 $5.60

-1.79%

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

$2.81 $2.81

$3.07 $3.07

-8.47%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.13 $2.13

$2.47 $2.47

-13.77%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.83 $5.83

$7.14 $7.14

-18.35%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.90 $6.90

$8.08 $8.08

-14.60%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.90 $0.90

$1.05 $1.05

-14.29%

White Bread (500g)

$3.49 $3.49

$4.11 $4.11

-15.09%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.93 $4.93

$5.61 $5.61

-12.12%

Eggs

$4.11 $4.11

$4.51 $4.51

-8.87%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.21 $11.21

$14.27 $14.27

-21.44%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.67 $11.67

$14.89 $14.89

-21.63%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.73 $14.73

$19.19 $19.19

-23.24%

Apples (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$5.14 $5.14

-11.28%

Banana (1kg)

$1.49 $1.49

$1.77 $1.77

-15.82%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.95 $3.95

$4.39 $4.39

-10.02%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.14 $4.14

$4.56 $4.56

-9.21%

Potato (1kg)

$2.88 $2.88

$2.54 $2.54

13.39%

Onion (1kg)

$2.40 $2.40

$2.75 $2.75

-12.73%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.93 $1.93

$2.42 $2.42

-20.25%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.62 $2.62

-3.82%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.07 $9.07

$14.92 $14.92

-39.21%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.66 $13.66

$14.80 $14.80

-7.70%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.07 $2.07

$2.46 $2.46

-15.85%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.46 $3.46

$3.73 $3.73

-7.24%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.32 $2.32

$2.48 $2.48

-6.45%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$43.34 $43.34

$75.4 $75.4

-42.54%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.81 $2.81

$3.18 $3.18

-11.64%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.41 $1.41

$1.42 $1.42

-0.70%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$36.57 $36.57

$24.94 $24.94

46.63%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.98 $0.98

$1.06 $1.06

-7.55%

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

$30.7K $30.7K

$31.9K $31.9K

-3.70%

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

$26.3K $26.3K

$26.0K $26.0K

0.96%

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

$261 $261

$185 $185

41.19%

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

$70.4 $70.4

$61.7 $61.7

14.06%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$80.1 $80.1

$66.9 $66.9

19.75%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.20 $34.20

$75.2 $75.2

-54.50%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$12.98 $12.98

$14.71 $14.71

-11.76%

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

$1,154 $1,154

$2,020 $2,020

-42.88%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$15.8K $15.8K

$39.4K $39.4K

-59.93%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.3 $51.3

$64.6 $64.6

-20.62%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$41.61 $41.61

$52.5 $52.5

-20.67%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$84.2 $84.2

$97.8 $97.8

-13.91%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$119 $119

$148 $148

-19.55%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,860 $1,860

$2,313 $2,313

-19.58%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,701 $1,701

$1,590 $1,590

6.99%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,468 $3,468

$4,608 $4,608

-24.75%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,794 $2,794

$2,779 $2,779

0.56%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,723 $3,723

$3,922 $3,922

-5.07%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,576 $4,576

$2,613 $2,613

75.16%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,647 $5,647

$5,217 $5,217

8.24%

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 Scottsdale, AZ: May 31, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,860 in Scottsdale, AZ versus $2,313 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 8% higher in Scottsdale, AZ, 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 $76.0 in Scottsdale, AZ versus $98.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $380 vs $447 – making Scottsdale, AZ 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

Scottsdale, AZ vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,051 in Scottsdale, AZ, $3,077 in Chicago, IL – roughly 1% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Scottsdale, AZ and $4,616 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Scottsdale, AZ, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 18% more in Chicago, IL, 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 $76.0 in Scottsdale, AZ and $98.0 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 $3,051 in Scottsdale, AZ and $3,077 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 $3,051 in Scottsdale, AZ to $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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