Cost of living in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 29% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 415 prices entered by 105 different people.
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| Food | + 47% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 47% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $18 (£14) | £11 | + 28% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 (£7) | £6 | + 12% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.61 (£4.47) | £3.77 | + 19% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.14 (£0.91) | £1.10 | - 17% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.81 (£3.84) | £3.44 | + 11% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.08 (£3.25) | £2.05 | + 59% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $5.89 (£4.70) | £3.39 | + 39% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.16 (£3.32) | £2.03 | + 63% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.80 (£1.43) | £0.87 | + 64% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $6 (£4.90) | £1.81 | + 171% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 (£14) | £8 | + 69% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.52 (£2.00) | £2.04 | - 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.26 (£2.60) | £0.91 | + 186% | |
| Housing | + 44% | |||
| Housing in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 44% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,443 (£1,947) | £1,574 | + 24% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,717 (£1,368) | £1,037 | + 32% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $263 (£209) | £272 | - 23% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,992 (£1,588) | £852 | + 86% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,122 (£894) | £725 | + 23% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $116 (£93) | £105 | - 11% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $60 (£47) | £27 | + 74% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $249 (£198) | £347 | - 43% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $285 (£228) | £102 | + 124% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $15 (£12) | £7 | + 63% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $40 (£32) | £13 | + 144% | |
| Clothes | + 5% | |||
| Clothes in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 5% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $64 (£51) | £63 | - 19% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $37 (£29) | £28 | + 4% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $124 (£99) | £67 | + 48% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $100 (£80) | £62 | + 29% | |
| Transportation | - 6% | |||
| Transportation in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 6% cheaper than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $26,017 (£20,738) | £24,000 | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.28 (£1.02) | £1.49 | - 31% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $82 (£65) | £64 | + 3% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $15 (£12) | £13 | - 8% | |
| Personal Care | + 34% | |||
| Personal Care in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 34% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (£7) | £7 | + 1% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $20 (£16) | £8 | + 109% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $113 (£90) | £100 | - 10% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (£6) | £3.66 | + 65% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.26 (£3.40) | £1.98 | + 71% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.76 (£4.59) | £3.40 | + 35% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.80 (£3.83) | £1.99 | + 93% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.57 (£2.05) | £1.92 | + 7% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $32 (£25) | £13 | + 91% | |
| Entertainment | + 70% | |||
| Entertainment in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 70% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $51 (£40) | £23 | + 78% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $28 (£23) | £18 | + 26% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $273 (£218) | £93 | + 135% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $128 (£102) | £49 | + 108% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 (£12) | £8 | + 45% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.14 (£4.10) | £3.15 | + 30% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.94 (£4.74) | £4.04 | + 17% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $501 (£400) | £444 | - 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.52 (£0.41) | £0.19 | + 123% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $92 (£74) | £31 | + 138% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $16 (£13) | £12 | + 6% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 29% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 415 prices entered by 105 different people.
These prices were last updated on June 09, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.797
GBP
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least £6,473 ($8,121) in Chicago, Illinois to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with £5,000 in Birmingham.
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