Cost of living in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Summary of cost of living in Chicago, Illinois

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: $5,282
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: $2,804
  • Cost of living in Chicago, Illinois is more expensive than in 81% of cities in USA (9 out of 43)
  • Cost of living in Chicago, Illinois is more expensive than in 83% of cities in N. America (10 out of 54)
  • Cost of living in Chicago, Illinois is more expensive than in 89% of cities in the World (24 out of 200)

List of prices in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Current as of Jan 2021.

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Food [Edit]
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district $17
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) $8
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast $5.06
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk $0.85
12 eggs, large $2.72
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes $3.81
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese $7
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples $2.92
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes $1.48
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket $3.63
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality $15
2 liters of coca-cola $2.03
Bread for 2 people for 1 day $2.33
Housing [Edit]
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area $2,231
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area $1,626
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat $143
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area $1,736
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area $1,216
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio $78
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) $38
40” flat screen tv $307
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) $120
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) $15
Hourly rate for cleaning help $23
Clothes [Edit]
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) $43
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) $47
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) $87
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes $100
Transportation [Edit]
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new $29,630
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas $0.74
Monthly ticket public transport $101
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) $17
Personal Care [Edit]
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) $8
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) $18
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) $127
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) $7
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) $3.55
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) $4.84
4 rolls of toilet paper $4.05
Tube of toothpaste $2.10
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city $28
Entertainment [Edit]
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub $44
2 tickets to the movies $23
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) $244
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert $82
1 cocktail drink in downtown club $13
Cappuccino in expat area of the city $4.56
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) $5.66
Ipad wi-fi 128gb $417
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) $1.46
1 month of gym membership in business district $70
1 package of marlboro cigarettes $13
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 798 prices entered by 152 different people.
Latest price update: January 26, 2021

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International Schools in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago position in our World Ranking

the world
24th
out of 200
n. america
10th
out of 54
usa
9th
out of 43

Cheapest and most expensive products in Chicago compared to other cities:

the world
1st
n. america
1st
n. america
2nd
n. america
3rd
n. america
3rd
n. america
4th

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