Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Sierra Vista, AZ and Chicago, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in Sierra Vista, AZ: $1,949 a month against $3,139 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $14,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

94

Cost of Living Index in Sierra Vista, AZ
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Sierra Vista, AZ Living Index
152

Cost of Living Index in Chicago, IL
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Chicago, IL Living Index

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Sierra Vista, AZ

🇺🇸 United States

$1,949

/mo nomad

Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 United States

$3,139

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Sierra Vista, AZ and in Chicago, IL

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Sierra Vista, AZ and in Chicago, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,949 per month in Sierra Vista, AZ vs $3,139 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Sierra Vista, AZ $1,949
Chicago, IL $3,139

A couple spends around $2,894 per month in Sierra Vista, AZ vs $4,627 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Sierra Vista, AZ $2,894
Chicago, IL $4,627

A family of three spends $3,840 per month in Sierra Vista, AZ vs $6,115 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Sierra Vista, AZ $3,840
Chicago, IL $6,115

Sierra Vista, AZ is about 38% cheaper than Chicago, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Sierra Vista, AZ and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Sierra Vista, AZ by 44%, Chicago, IL by 132%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$17.17 $17.17

$20.65 $20.65

-16.85%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$65.5 $65.5

$90.2 $90.2

-27.37%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$14.59 $14.59

$12.94 $12.94

12.75%

Cappuccino

$6.23 $6.23

$5.60 $5.60

11.25%

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

$2.17 $2.17

$2.64 $2.64

-17.80%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.55 $1.55

$2.27 $2.27

-31.72%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.44 $5.44

$6.98 $6.98

-22.06%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.18 $8.18

$8.83 $8.83

-7.36%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.79 $0.79

$1.27 $1.27

-37.80%

White Bread (500g)

$3.24 $3.24

$3.80 $3.80

-14.74%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.10 $2.10

$5.30 $5.30

-60.38%

Eggs

$4.36 $4.36

$4.76 $4.76

-8.40%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.18 $14.18

$13.96 $13.96

1.58%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.30 $13.30

$14.61 $14.61

-8.97%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.84 $14.84

$18.77 $18.77

-20.94%

Apples (1kg)

$2.68 $2.68

$5.19 $5.19

-48.36%

Banana (1kg)

$1.45 $1.45

$1.98 $1.98

-26.77%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.93 $3.93

4.58%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.20 $2.20

$4.96 $4.96

-55.65%

Potato (1kg)

$1.95 $1.95

$2.76 $2.76

-29.35%

Onion (1kg)

$2.99 $2.99

$2.76 $2.76

8.33%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.31 $2.31

$2.22 $2.22

4.05%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.64 $2.64

$2.98 $2.98

-11.41%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.15 $11.15

$14.02 $14.02

-20.47%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.72 $14.72

$15.28 $15.28

-3.66%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.58 $2.58

-6.20%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.22 $3.22

$3.50 $3.50

-8.00%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.47 $2.47

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.8 $74.8

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.70 $2.70

$3.34 $3.34

-19.16%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.43 $1.43

-4.90%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$35.81 $35.81

$24.32 $24.32

47.25%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$1.26 $1.26

-14.29%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

$35.0K $35.0K

2.89%

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

$25.9K $25.9K

$26.1K $26.1K

-0.75%

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

$134 $134

$193 $193

-30.24%

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

$50.4 $50.4

$68.3 $68.3

-26.10%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.2 $77.2

$61.3 $61.3

26.00%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$54.1 $54.1

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.92 $27.92

Cinema Ticket

$12.22 $12.22

$17.74 $17.74

-31.12%

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

$981 $981

$1,652 $1,652

-40.59%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.8K $22.8K

$31.1K $31.1K

-26.52%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$60.9 $60.9

$66.1 $66.1

-7.84%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.79 $43.79

$51.2 $51.2

-14.54%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$109 $109

$100 $100

8.77%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$134 $134

$141 $141

-4.93%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$913 $913

$2,446 $2,446

-62.67%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$812 $812

$1,678 $1,678

-51.61%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,332 $1,332

$4,717 $4,717

-71.76%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,313 $1,313

$2,795 $2,795

-53.05%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,008 $2,008

$4,105 $4,105

-51.09%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,971 $1,971

$2,650 $2,650

-25.60%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,182 $4,182

$4,866 $4,866

-14.05%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.81

-6.31%

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

Last update for Sierra Vista, AZ: October 19, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Sierra Vista, AZ

$812 41.7%

Chicago, IL

$1.7K 53.5% 107% $866

Groceries & Markets

Sierra Vista, AZ

$370 19%

Chicago, IL

$449 14.3% 21.5% $79

Eating Out

Sierra Vista, AZ

$314 16.1%

Chicago, IL

$343 10.9% 9.3% $29

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Sierra Vista, AZ

$262 13.5%

Chicago, IL

$322 10.3% 22.9% $60

Clothing & Footwear

Sierra Vista, AZ

$156 8%

Chicago, IL

$161 5.1% 3.1% $4.9

Sport & Entertainment

Sierra Vista, AZ

$24 * 1.3%

Chicago, IL

$90 2.9% 267% $65

Getting Around

Sierra Vista, AZ

$9.5 * 0.5%

Chicago, IL

$95 3% 900% $86

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $913 in Sierra Vista, AZ versus $2,446 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 16% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $66.0 in Sierra Vista, AZ versus $90.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $370 vs $449 – making Sierra Vista, AZ the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Sierra Vista, AZ

🇺🇸 Chicago, IL

🕒 Local time

01:11 1:11 AM

03:11 3:11 AM

2 h ahead of Sierra Vista, AZ

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

45,308

2,746,388

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.89 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Between locations

Sierra Vista, AZ Chicago, IL 2,310 km ≈ 3 h 30 min nonstop flight

From you

Sierra Vista, AZ
Chicago, IL

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $1,949 in Sierra Vista, AZ, $3,139 in Chicago, IL – roughly 61% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in transport.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,923 per month in Sierra Vista, AZ and $4,708 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Sierra Vista, AZ, 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 $66.0 in Sierra Vista, AZ and $90.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 21% 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 $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Sierra Vista, AZ, where all-in costs run around $1,949, than in Chicago, IL at $3,139. In Sierra Vista, AZ it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,949 in Sierra Vista, AZ to $3,139 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Sierra Vista, 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.