Cost of Living Comparison Between Valparaiso, IN and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Valparaiso, IN and Chicago, IL

๐Ÿ™‚ Solo nomad: Valparaiso, IN is 23.5% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 28.8% cheaper with rent.
๐Ÿ™‚ Family of 3: Valparaiso, IN is 31.5% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 35.4% cheaper with rent.
Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Valparaiso, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.44 $17.44
$20.82 $20.82
-16.23%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.33 $49.33
$100 $100
-50.84%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.84 $10.84
$11.97 $11.97
-9.44%
Cappuccino
$4.09 $4.09
$5.56 $5.56
-26.44%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.5 $2.5
$3.11 $3.11
-19.61%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.63 $1.63
$2.42 $2.42
-32.64%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.53 $4.53
$6.86 $6.86
-33.97%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.96 $5.96
$8.45 $8.45
-29.47%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Valparaiso, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.88 $0.88
$1.04 $1.04
-15.38%
White Bread (500g)
$3.43 $3.43
$4.15 $4.15
-17.35%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.74 $4.74
$5.52 $5.52
-14.13%
Eggs
$3.32 $3.32
$4.65 $4.65
-28.60%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.13 $15.13
$14.33 $14.33
5.58%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.06 $12.06
$14.88 $14.88
-18.95%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.75 $14.75
$19.34 $19.34
-23.73%
Apples (1kg)
$10.17 $10.17
$5.17 $5.17
96.71%
Banana (1kg)
$1.3 $1.3
$1.71 $1.71
-23.98%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.48 $6.48
$4.41 $4.41
46.94%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.83 $5.83
$4.51 $4.51
29.27%
Potato (1kg)
$2.18 $2.18
$2.53 $2.53
-13.83%
Onion (1kg)
$3.86 $3.86
$2.74 $2.74
40.88%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.41 $2.41
$2.43 $2.43
-0.82%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.72 $2.72
$2.7 $2.7
0.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.83 $8.83
$15.19 $15.19
-41.87%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.19 $8.19
$16.42 $16.42
-50.12%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 $1.78
$2.35 $2.35
-24.26%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.68 $3.68
$3.7 $3.7
-0.54%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Valparaiso, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.97 $0.97
$2.53 $2.53
-61.66%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$30.55 $30.55
$74.1 $74.1
-58.79%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.75 $4.75
$3.34 $3.34
42.22%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.14 $2.14
$1.42 $1.42
50.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$28.12 $28.12
$25.42 $25.42
10.62%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.69 $0.69
$1.08 $1.08
-36.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.4K $24.4K
$32.4K $32.4K
-24.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.1K $24.1K
$26.2K $26.2K
-8.23%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Valparaiso, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$118 $118
$188 $188
-37.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$45.8 $45.8
$63.7 $63.7
-28.10%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.8 $61.8
$65.2 $65.2
-5.17%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Valparaiso, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$15.08 $15.08
$76.7 $76.7
-80.34%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.82 $7.82
$14.93 $14.93
-47.62%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Valparaiso, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$936 $936
$2,063 $2,063
-54.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$21.4K $21.4K
$39.2K $39.2K
-45.38%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Valparaiso, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.6 $63.6
$64.3 $64.3
-1.09%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.45 $39.45
$52.4 $52.4
-24.70%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.5 $96.5
$95.2 $95.2
1.33%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$137 $137
$145 $145
-5.34%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Valparaiso, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,518 $1,518
$2,378 $2,378
-36.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$981 $981
$1,584 $1,584
-38.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,011 $2,011
$4,763 $4,763
-57.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,491 $1,491
$2,815 $2,815
-47.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,827 $1,827
$3,588 $3,588
-49.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,844 $1,844
$2,490 $2,490
-25.96%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Valparaiso, IN
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,225 $4,225
$5,275 $5,275
-19.91%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.45
6.6
-2.27%

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

Last update for Valparaiso, IN: October 29, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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