Cost of Living Comparison Between Waterford, MI and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Waterford, MI and Chicago, IL

🙂 Solo nomad: Waterford, MI is 9.8% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 13.9% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Waterford, MI is 9.7% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 18.6% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Waterford, MI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.74 $17.74
$20.82 $20.82
-14.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$71.2 $71.2
$100 $100
-29.04%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.6 $9.6
$11.97 $11.97
-19.80%
Cappuccino
$4.41 $4.41
$5.56 $5.56
-20.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.52 $2.52
$3.11 $3.11
-18.97%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62 $1.62
$2.42 $2.42
-33.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.91 $5.91
$6.86 $6.86
-13.85%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.62 $4.62
$8.45 $8.45
-45.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Waterford, MI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.9 $0.9
$1.04 $1.04
-13.46%
White Bread (500g)
$3.56 $3.56
$4.15 $4.15
-14.22%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.91 $4.91
$5.52 $5.52
-11.05%
Eggs
$1.98 $1.98
$4.65 $4.65
-57.42%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.87 $10.87
$14.33 $14.33
-24.15%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$12.3 $12.3
$14.88 $14.88
-17.34%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.94 $14.94
$19.34 $19.34
-22.75%
Apples (1kg)
$10.18 $10.18
$5.17 $5.17
96.91%
Banana (1kg)
$1.08 $1.08
$1.71 $1.71
-36.84%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.14 $6.14
$4.41 $4.41
39.23%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.5 $4.5
$4.51 $4.51
-0.22%
Potato (1kg)
$2.09 $2.09
$2.53 $2.53
-17.39%
Onion (1kg)
$3.87 $3.87
$2.74 $2.74
41.24%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.21 $2.21
$2.43 $2.43
-9.05%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.7 $2.7
$2.7 $2.7
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$9.02 $9.02
$15.19 $15.19
-40.62%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.11 $15.11
$16.42 $16.42
-7.98%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84 $1.84
$2.35 $2.35
-21.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.66 $3.66
$3.7 $3.7
-1.08%
🚌 Getting Around
Waterford, MI
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.02 $2.02
$2.53 $2.53
-20.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$50.1 $50.1
$74.1 $74.1
-32.40%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.82 $4.82
$3.34 $3.34
44.31%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.36 $1.36
$1.42 $1.42
-4.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$27.77 $27.77
$25.42 $25.42
9.24%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.87 $0.87
$1.08 $1.08
-19.44%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.3K $24.3K
$32.4K $32.4K
-24.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.6K $24.6K
$26.2K $26.2K
-6.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Waterford, MI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$120 $120
$188 $188
-36.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$44.45 $44.45
$63.7 $63.7
-30.22%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$61.2 $61.2
$65.2 $65.2
-6.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Waterford, MI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$42.49 $42.49
$76.7 $76.7
-44.62%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.18 $11.18
$14.93 $14.93
-25.12%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Waterford, MI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$947 $947
$2,063 $2,063
-54.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$20.6K $20.6K
$39.2K $39.2K
-47.38%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Waterford, MI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.4 $63.4
$64.3 $64.3
-1.37%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.45 $39.45
$52.4 $52.4
-24.70%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.8 $96.8
$95.2 $95.2
1.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$139 $139
$145 $145
-4.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Waterford, MI
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,586 $1,586
$2,378 $2,378
-33.30%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,367 $1,367
$1,584 $1,584
-13.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,586 $2,586
$4,763 $4,763
-45.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,215 $2,215
$2,815 $2,815
-21.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,693 $2,693
$3,588 $3,588
-24.95%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,770 $2,770
$2,490 $2,490
11.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Waterford, MI
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$5,275 $5,275
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.51
6.6
-1.36%

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

Last update for Waterford, MI: October 28, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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