Cost of Living Comparison Between Thornton, CO and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Thornton, CO and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,681 per month in Thornton, CO vs $3,009 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,104 per month in Thornton, CO vs $4,593 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,527 per month in Thornton, CO vs $6,177 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Thornton, CO is about 11% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Thornton, CO and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Thornton, CO by 100%, Chicago, IL by 125%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.62 $19.62

$20.35 $20.35

-3.59%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$85.3 $85.3

$102 $102

-16.10%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.77 $11.77

$11.98 $11.98

-1.75%

Cappuccino

$5.44 $5.44

$5.70 $5.70

-4.56%

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

$2.98 $2.98

$3.00 $3.00

-0.67%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.21 $2.21

$2.46 $2.46

-10.16%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.39 $6.39

$6.87 $6.87

-6.99%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.35 $7.35

$8.09 $8.09

-9.15%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.02 $1.02

$1.03 $1.03

-0.97%

White Bread (500g)

$3.52 $3.52

$3.95 $3.95

-10.89%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.77 $5.77

$5.42 $5.42

6.46%

Eggs

$5.65 $5.65

$4.50 $4.50

25.56%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.24 $14.24

$14.53 $14.53

-2.00%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.96 $12.96

$14.89 $14.89

-12.96%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.71 $18.71

$18.98 $18.98

-1.42%

Apples (1kg)

$4.41 $4.41

$5.39 $5.39

-18.18%

Banana (1kg)

$1.59 $1.59

$1.77 $1.77

-10.17%

Oranges (1kg)

$3.83 $3.83

$4.35 $4.35

-11.95%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.09 $5.09

$4.53 $4.53

12.36%

Potato (1kg)

$2.67 $2.67

$2.53 $2.53

5.53%

Onion (1kg)

$2.50 $2.50

$2.81 $2.81

-11.03%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.05 $2.05

$2.51 $2.51

-18.33%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.23 $2.23

$2.67 $2.67

-16.48%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.99 $9.99

$14.88 $14.88

-32.86%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.75 $19.75

$15.22 $15.22

29.76%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.29 $2.29

$2.46 $2.46

-6.91%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.75 $3.75

$3.53 $3.53

6.23%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.97 $1.97

$2.56 $2.56

-23.05%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.3 $74.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.56 $2.56

$3.19 $3.19

-19.75%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.41 $1.41

1.42%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.19 $24.19

$25.49 $25.49

-5.10%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.82 $0.82

$1.04 $1.04

-21.15%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$32.2K $32.2K

-0.83%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$26.8K $26.8K

-2.66%

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

$174 $174

$184 $184

-5.36%

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

$71.0 $71.0

$63.1 $63.1

12.55%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.8 $66.8

$66.4 $66.4

0.54%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.18 $43.18

$75.9 $75.9

-43.12%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.06 $13.06

Cinema Ticket

$14.79 $14.79

$15.25 $15.25

-3.02%

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

$1,517 $1,517

$2,090 $2,090

-27.44%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$16.4K $16.4K

$39.2K $39.2K

-58.27%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.1 $58.1

$64.2 $64.2

-9.58%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.34 $37.34

$51.0 $51.0

-26.78%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$98.9 $98.9

$97.2 $97.2

1.75%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$121 $121

$149 $149

-18.55%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,576 $1,576

$2,341 $2,341

-32.65%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,351 $1,351

$1,572 $1,572

-14.05%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,802 $2,802

$4,741 $4,741

-40.91%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,526 $2,526

$2,819 $2,819

-10.40%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,900 $3,900

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,638 $2,638

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,200 $5,200

$4,769 $4,769

9.05%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.37

6.6

-3.48%

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

Last update for Thornton, CO: April 26, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,576 in Thornton, CO versus $2,341 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 9% higher in Thornton, CO, 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 $85.0 in Thornton, CO versus $102 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $434 vs $447 – making Thornton, CO 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

Thornton, CO vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,681 in Thornton, CO, $3,009 in Chicago, IL – roughly 12% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,022 per month in Thornton, CO 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 Thornton, CO, 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 $85.0 in Thornton, CO and $102 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 3% 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.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,681 in Thornton, CO 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 $2,681 in Thornton, CO to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. 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 Thornton, CO. 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.