Cost of Living Comparison Between Tucson, AZ and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Tucson, AZ and Chicago, IL

๐Ÿ™‚ Solo nomad: Tucson, AZ is 14.7% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 19.3% cheaper with rent.
๐Ÿ™‚ Family of 3: Tucson, AZ is 20% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 26.1% cheaper with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Tucson, AZ
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.73 $18.73
$20.82 $20.82
-10.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.4 $76.4
$100 $100
-23.83%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.15 $12.15
$11.97 $11.97
1.50%
Cappuccino
$5.51 $5.51
$5.56 $5.56
-0.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87 $2.87
$3.11 $3.11
-7.72%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 $2.26
$2.42 $2.42
-6.61%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.1 $6.1
$6.86 $6.86
-11.08%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.92 $6.92
$8.45 $8.45
-18.11%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Tucson, AZ
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.85 $0.85
$1.04 $1.04
-18.27%
White Bread (500g)
$3.41 $3.41
$4.15 $4.15
-17.83%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.23 $5.23
$5.52 $5.52
-5.25%
Eggs
$4.18 $4.18
$4.65 $4.65
-10.11%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.05 $11.05
$14.33 $14.33
-22.89%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.88 $11.88
$14.88 $14.88
-20.16%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.23 $15.23
$19.34 $19.34
-21.25%
Apples (1kg)
$4.88 $4.88
$5.17 $5.17
-5.61%
Banana (1kg)
$1.98 $1.98
$1.71 $1.71
15.79%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.96 $3.96
$4.41 $4.41
-10.20%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.08 $4.08
$4.51 $4.51
-9.53%
Potato (1kg)
$2.39 $2.39
$2.53 $2.53
-5.53%
Onion (1kg)
$2.41 $2.41
$2.74 $2.74
-12.04%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.98 $1.98
$2.43 $2.43
-18.52%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.53 $2.53
$2.7 $2.7
-6.30%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.28 $9.28
$15.19 $15.19
-38.91%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.77 $14.77
$16.42 $16.42
-10.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.1 $2.1
$2.35 $2.35
-10.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.46 $3.46
$3.7 $3.7
-6.49%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Tucson, AZ
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.73 $0.73
$2.53 $2.53
-71.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$20.13 $20.13
$74.1 $74.1
-72.85%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.83 $2.83
$3.34 $3.34
-15.27%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.33 $1.33
$1.42 $1.42
-6.34%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$35.69 $35.69
$25.42 $25.42
40.40%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.87 $0.87
$1.08 $1.08
-19.44%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.7K $31.7K
$32.4K $32.4K
-2.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26K $26K
$26.2K $26.2K
-0.75%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tucson, AZ
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$266 $266
$188 $188
41.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$70.6 $70.6
$63.7 $63.7
10.80%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$80.5 $80.5
$65.2 $65.2
23.53%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Tucson, AZ
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$40.11 $40.11
$76.7 $76.7
-47.72%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.08 $10.08
$13.03 $13.03
-22.64%
Cinema Ticket
$13.18 $13.18
$14.93 $14.93
-11.72%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Tucson, AZ
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,076 $1,076
$2,063 $2,063
-47.82%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$15.9K $15.9K
$39.2K $39.2K
-59.40%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Tucson, AZ
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52 $52
$64.3 $64.3
-19.08%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.81 $38.81
$52.4 $52.4
-25.92%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$83.2 $83.2
$95.2 $95.2
-12.59%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$104 $104
$145 $145
-28.01%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Tucson, AZ
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,279 $1,279
$2,378 $2,378
-46.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,127 $1,127
$1,584 $1,584
-28.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,158 $2,158
$4,763 $4,763
-54.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,856 $1,856
$2,815 $2,815
-34.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,762 $2,762
$3,588 $3,588
-23.01%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,440 $2,440
$2,490 $2,490
-2.03%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Tucson, AZ
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,715 $3,715
$5,275 $5,275
-29.58%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.54
6.6
-0.91%

Citycost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Tucson, AZ: October 27, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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