Cost of Living Comparison Between Silver Spring, MD and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Silver Spring, MD and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,786 per month in Silver Spring, MD vs $3,009 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,446 per month in Silver Spring, MD vs $4,576 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,106 per month in Silver Spring, MD vs $6,143 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Silver Spring, MD is about 7% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Silver Spring, MD and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Silver Spring, MD by 109%, Chicago, IL by 126%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.95 $19.95

$20.27 $20.27

-1.58%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$89.4 $89.4

$101 $101

-11.32%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.95 $8.95

$12.04 $12.04

-25.66%

Cappuccino

$5.43 $5.43

$5.76 $5.76

-5.73%

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

$2.99 $2.99

$2.97 $2.97

0.67%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.38 $2.38

7.56%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.57 $6.57

$7.20 $7.20

-8.75%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.60 $8.60

$8.05 $8.05

6.83%

Milk (1 liter)

$0.97 $0.97

$1.09 $1.09

-11.01%

White Bread (500g)

$4.83 $4.83

$4.12 $4.12

17.23%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.94 $5.94

$5.29 $5.29

12.29%

Eggs

$6.11 $6.11

$4.56 $4.56

33.99%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$18.52 $18.52

$14.45 $14.45

28.17%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.42 $15.42

$14.79 $14.79

4.26%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$22.76 $22.76

$19.56 $19.56

16.36%

Apples (1kg)

$7.75 $7.75

$5.42 $5.42

42.99%

Banana (1kg)

$1.78 $1.78

$1.71 $1.71

4.09%

Oranges (1kg)

$8.12 $8.12

$4.18 $4.18

94.26%

Tomato (1kg)

$7.02 $7.02

$4.59 $4.59

52.94%

Potato (1kg)

$3.33 $3.33

$2.48 $2.48

34.27%

Onion (1kg)

$2.74 $2.74

$2.72 $2.72

0.74%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$2.47 $2.47

-7.69%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.72 $2.72

-8.82%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.65 $10.65

$14.78 $14.78

-27.94%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.99 $14.99

$15.30 $15.30

-2.03%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 $1.75

$2.35 $2.35

-25.53%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.90 $4.90

$3.74 $3.74

31.02%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$5.13 $5.13

$2.47 $2.47

107.69%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$175 $175

$74.0 $74.0

136.74%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.62 $4.62

$3.32 $3.32

39.16%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.35 $1.35

$1.37 $1.37

-1.46%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$28.71 $28.71

$24.65 $24.65

16.47%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.82 $0.82

$1.05 $1.05

-21.90%

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

$26.5K $26.5K

$32.4K $32.4K

-18.24%

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

$24.1K $24.1K

$26.1K $26.1K

-7.48%

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

$214 $214

$186 $186

14.70%

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

$52.4 $52.4

$62.6 $62.6

-16.28%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.9 $67.9

$67.5 $67.5

0.62%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$33.73 $33.73

$75.2 $75.2

-55.15%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.62 $21.62

$13.38 $13.38

61.58%

Cinema Ticket

$16.83 $16.83

$15.10 $15.10

11.46%

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

$2,246 $2,246

$2,023 $2,023

11.04%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$61.0K $61.0K

$39.9K $39.9K

52.91%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.24 $46.24

$64.2 $64.2

-28.02%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.28 $36.28

$51.2 $51.2

-29.11%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.7 $94.7

$96.2 $96.2

-1.48%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$118 $118

$147 $147

-20.09%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,947 $1,947

$2,329 $2,329

-16.38%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,129 $1,129

$1,570 $1,570

-28.05%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,672 $3,672

$4,677 $4,677

-21.50%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,494 $2,494

$2,810 $2,810

-11.25%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,299 $5,299

$4,082 $4,082

29.82%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$4,296 $4,296

$2,645 $2,645

62.45%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,982 $4,982

$4,883 $4,883

2.02%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.61

6.6

0.15%

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

Last update for Silver Spring, MD: July 26, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: July 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,947 in Silver Spring, MD 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 2% higher in Silver Spring, MD, 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 $89.0 in Silver Spring, MD versus $101 in Chicago, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $527 in Silver Spring, MD 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

Silver Spring, MD vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,786 in Silver Spring, MD, $3,009 in Chicago, IL – roughly 8% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,179 per month in Silver Spring, MD 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 Silver Spring, MD, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 17% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in Silver Spring, MD and $101 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,786 in Silver Spring, MD 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 $2,786 in Silver Spring, MD to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Silver Spring, MD. 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.