Cost of Living Comparison Between Tracy, CA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Tracy, CA and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,298 per month in Tracy, CA vs $3,106 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,587 per month in Tracy, CA vs $4,599 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,875 per month in Tracy, CA vs $6,092 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Tracy, CA is about 26% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both Tracy, CA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Tracy, CA by 67%, Chicago, IL by 126%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.78 $19.78

$19.86 $19.86

-0.40%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.6 $50.6

$88.3 $88.3

-42.69%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.06 $10.06

$13.23 $13.23

-23.96%

Cappuccino

$4.40 $4.40

$5.86 $5.86

-24.91%

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

$3.08 $3.08

$2.61 $2.61

18.01%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.85 $1.85

$2.32 $2.32

-20.26%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.14 $6.14

$7.03 $7.03

-12.66%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.31 $7.31

$9.25 $9.25

-20.97%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.29 $1.29

$1.34 $1.34

-3.73%

White Bread (500g)

$4.16 $4.16

$4.19 $4.19

-0.72%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.47 $5.47

$5.50 $5.50

-0.55%

Eggs

$3.34 $3.34

$4.71 $4.71

-29.09%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.87 $15.87

$14.72 $14.72

7.81%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.04 $11.04

$14.53 $14.53

-24.02%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.65 $15.65

$19.69 $19.69

-20.52%

Apples (1kg)

$4.50 $4.50

$5.64 $5.64

-20.21%

Banana (1kg)

$2.16 $2.16

$1.97 $1.97

9.64%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.38 $4.38

$4.04 $4.04

8.42%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.48 $4.48

$5.07 $5.07

-11.64%

Potato (1kg)

$2.24 $2.24

$2.94 $2.94

-23.81%

Onion (1kg)

$3.22 $3.22

$2.92 $2.92

10.27%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.99 $1.99

$2.28 $2.28

-12.72%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.05 $2.05

$3.12 $3.12

-34.29%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$11.56 $11.56

$16.19 $16.19

-28.60%

Wine (Bottle)

$12.89 $12.89

$15.17 $15.17

-15.03%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.03 $2.03

$2.67 $2.67

-23.97%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.74 $2.74

$3.48 $3.48

-21.26%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.54 $2.54

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$65.2 $65.2

$76.0 $76.0

-14.15%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.54 $2.54

$3.16 $3.16

-19.62%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.82 $1.82

$1.37 $1.37

32.85%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.65 $29.65

$22.66 $22.66

30.85%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.38 $1.38

$1.20 $1.20

15.00%

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

$36.8K $36.8K

$37.0K $37.0K

-0.69%

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

$26.1K $26.1K

$26.0K $26.0K

0.30%

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

$181 $181

$190 $190

-4.50%

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

$49.07 $49.07

$68.5 $68.5

-28.34%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.2 $76.2

$61.1 $61.1

24.82%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.8 $63.8

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.80 $27.80

Cinema Ticket

$15.20 $15.20

$18.28 $18.28

-16.85%

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

$2,405 $2,405

$1,525 $1,525

57.78%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$35.3K $35.3K

$32.0K $32.0K

10.17%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$72.6 $72.6

$64.0 $64.0

13.46%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$72.2 $72.2

$54.4 $54.4

32.72%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$94.8 $94.8

$101 $101

-5.79%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$239 $239

$153 $153

55.54%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,820 $1,820

$2,421 $2,421

-24.84%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$995 $995

$1,690 $1,690

-41.11%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,584 $4,584

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,782 $2,782

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,814 $3,814

$4,170 $4,170

-8.53%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,739 $2,739

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,760 $5,760

$4,777 $4,777

20.56%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.07

6.38

-4.86%

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

Last update for Tracy, CA: August 31, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,820 in Tracy, 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 21% higher in Tracy, CA, 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 $51.0 in Tracy, CA versus $88.0 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $402 vs $465 – making Tracy, 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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $2,298 in Tracy, CA, $3,106 in Chicago, IL – roughly 35% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,448 per month in Tracy, 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 Tracy, CA, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 16% 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 $51.0 in Tracy, CA and $88.0 in Chicago, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

$2,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,298 in Tracy, 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 $2,298 in Tracy, CA to $3,106 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Tracy, CA. 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.