Cost of living in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Summary of cost of living in Chicago, Illinois

  • Family of four estimated monthly costs: $7,332
  • Single person estimated monthly costs: $4,402
  • Cost of living in Chicago, Illinois is more expensive than in 71% of cities in USA (7 out of 21)
  • Cost of living in Chicago, Illinois is more expensive than in 75% of cities in N. America (7 out of 24)
  • Cost of living in Chicago, Illinois is more expensive than in 91% of cities in the World (14 out of 142)
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List of prices in Chicago, Illinois
Current as of Jun 2025.

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Food Update prices
Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district $24
Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) $12
500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast $7
1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk $0.97
12 eggs, large $7
1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes $4.44
500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese $7
1 kg (2 lb.) of apples $4.97
1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes $2.26
0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket $2.57
1 bottle of red table wine, good quality $16
2 liters of coca-cola $3.26
Bread for 2 people for 1 day $4.09
Housing Update prices
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area $3,941
Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area $2,714
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat $151
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area $2,276
Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area $1,558
Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio $144
Internet 8 mbps (1 month) $66
40” flat screen tv $242
Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) $192
Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) $11
Hourly rate for cleaning help $42
Clothes Update prices
1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) $60
1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) $50
1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) $99
1 pair of men’s leather business shoes $145
Transportation Update prices
Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new $31,007
1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas $1.03
Monthly ticket public transport $75
Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) $18
Personal Care Update prices
Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) $11
1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) $49
Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) $136
1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) $9
Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) $4.54
Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) $7
4 rolls of toilet paper $3.84
Tube of toothpaste $2.14
Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city $36
Entertainment Update prices
Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub $59
2 tickets to the movies $30
2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) $292
Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert $112
1 cocktail drink in downtown club $16
Cappuccino in expat area of the city $5.84
1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) $8
Ipad wi-fi 128gb $605
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) $1.43
1 month of gym membership in business district $75
1 package of marlboro cigarettes $16
These prices are based on abundant and consistent data. They are very reliable. They are based on 234 prices entered by 40 different people.
Latest price update: June 23, 2025

Moving to Chicago, Illinois with your children?

International Schools in Chicago, Illinois

Chicago position in our World Ranking

the world
14th
out of 142
n. america
7th
out of 24
usa
7th
out of 21

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

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

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Summer dress in a High Street Store (Zara, H&M or similar retailers)

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International Cost of Living Index

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Prices recently added

  • Jeans (levis 501 or similar) in Toronto costs C$90 (7 minutes ago)
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