Cost of Living Comparison Between Simi Valley, CA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Simi Valley, CA and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,440 per month in Simi Valley, CA vs $3,106 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,864 per month in Simi Valley, CA vs $4,599 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,288 per month in Simi Valley, CA vs $6,092 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

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

Both Simi Valley, CA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Simi Valley, CA by 150%, Chicago, IL by 126%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$23.28 $23.28

$19.86 $19.86

17.22%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$68.6 $68.6

$88.3 $88.3

-22.31%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.96 $11.96

$13.23 $13.23

-9.60%

Cappuccino

$5.35 $5.35

$5.86 $5.86

-8.70%

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

$1.98 $1.98

$2.61 $2.61

-24.14%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.26 $2.26

$2.32 $2.32

-2.59%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.43 $7.43

$7.03 $7.03

5.69%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.92 $5.92

$9.25 $9.25

-36.00%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.19 $1.19

$1.34 $1.34

-11.19%

White Bread (500g)

$2.44 $2.44

$4.19 $4.19

-41.77%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.74 $4.74

$5.50 $5.50

-13.82%

Eggs

$4.63 $4.63

$4.71 $4.71

-1.70%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$16.25 $16.25

$14.72 $14.72

10.39%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.80 $10.80

$14.53 $14.53

-25.67%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.68 $17.68

$19.69 $19.69

-10.21%

Apples (1kg)

$3.75 $3.75

$5.64 $5.64

-33.51%

Banana (1kg)

$1.83 $1.83

$1.97 $1.97

-7.11%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.57 $3.57

$4.04 $4.04

-11.63%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.01 $5.01

$5.07 $5.07

-1.18%

Potato (1kg)

$2.59 $2.59

$2.94 $2.94

-11.90%

Onion (1kg)

$2.60 $2.60

$2.92 $2.92

-10.96%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.01 $2.01

$2.28 $2.28

-11.84%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.12 $2.12

$3.12 $3.12

-32.05%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.69 $11.69

$16.19 $16.19

-27.79%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.89 $11.89

$15.17 $15.17

-21.62%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.24 $2.24

$2.67 $2.67

-16.10%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.09 $3.09

$3.48 $3.48

-11.21%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.78 $1.78

$2.54 $2.54

-29.92%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$76.0 $76.0

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.93 $2.93

$3.16 $3.16

-7.28%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.03 $2.03

$1.37 $1.37

48.18%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$27.54 $27.54

$22.66 $22.66

21.54%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.32 $1.32

$1.20 $1.20

10.00%

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

$36.4K $36.4K

$37.0K $37.0K

-1.57%

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

$26.3K $26.3K

$26.0K $26.0K

0.95%

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

$231 $231

$190 $190

21.98%

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

$62.4 $62.4

$68.5 $68.5

-8.91%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$77.5 $77.5

$61.1 $61.1

26.90%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.56 $30.56

$63.8 $63.8

-52.09%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$12.22 $12.22

$18.28 $18.28

-33.15%

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

$1,182 $1,182

$1,525 $1,525

-22.47%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$35.8K $35.8K

$32.0K $32.0K

11.95%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$69.4 $69.4

$64.0 $64.0

8.34%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$57.6 $57.6

$54.4 $54.4

5.79%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$105 $105

$101 $101

4.28%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$153 $153

-3.75%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,151 $2,151

$2,421 $2,421

-11.14%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,987 $1,987

$1,690 $1,690

17.58%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,425 $2,425

$4,584 $4,584

-47.10%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$3,267 $3,267

$2,782 $2,782

17.40%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,170 $4,170

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,739 $2,739

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,891 $4,891

$4,777 $4,777

2.39%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.52

6.38

2.19%

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

Last update for Simi Valley, CA: September 1, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,151 in Simi Valley, CA versus $2,421 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 Simi Valley, CA, 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 $69.0 in Simi Valley, CA versus $88.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $386 vs $465 – making Simi Valley, CA 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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $3,440 in Simi Valley, CA, $3,106 in Chicago, IL – roughly 11% apart. Simi Valley, CA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,160 per month in Simi Valley, CA and $4,659 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $69.0 in Simi Valley, CA and $88.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 20% cheaper in Simi Valley, CA – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,440 in Simi Valley, CA and $3,106 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 $3,106 in Chicago, IL to $3,440 in Simi Valley, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

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