Cost of living in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is about the same as in Los Angeles, California (United States)
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This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 774 prices entered by 93 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 5% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 5% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $24 | $24 | - 0% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 | $13 | - 3% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $7 | $6 | + 19% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.93 | $1.23 | - 24% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.80 | $9 | - 32% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.40 | $4.56 | - 3% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 | $7 | - 12% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.81 | $4.42 | + 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.07 | $1.78 | + 16% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.07 | $6 | - 50% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 | $15 | + 4% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $3.11 | $3.17 | - 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $4.09 | $3.20 | + 28% | |
| Housing | - 8% | |||
| Housing in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 8% cheaper than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,040 | $4,069 | - 1% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,635 | $2,864 | - 8% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $168 | $266 | - 37% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,357 | $2,916 | - 19% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,641 | $2,383 | - 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $141 | $175 | - 19% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $61 | $53 | + 14% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $237 | $387 | - 39% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $184 | $161 | + 14% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $12 | $16 | - 27% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $41 | $30 | + 36% | |
| Clothes | - 1% | |||
| Clothes in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is about the same as in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $59 | $63 | - 7% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $49 | $45 | + 10% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $88 | $96 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $129 | $143 | - 10% | |
| Transportation | + 23% | |||
| Transportation in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 23% more expensive than in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $31,007 | $27,289 | + 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.03 | $1.20 | - 14% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $75 | $53 | + 41% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $18 | $21 | - 13% | |
| Personal Care | + 0% | |||
| Personal Care in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is about the same as in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $11 | $10 | + 15% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $49 | $20 | + 147% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $136 | $198 | - 31% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 | $8 | + 0% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.54 | $5.79 | - 22% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 | $8 | - 16% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.84 | $5.67 | - 32% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.14 | $2.80 | - 24% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $36 | $36 | + 1% | |
| Entertainment | + 3% | |||
| Entertainment in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is about the same as in Los Angeles, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Los Angeles, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $59 | $70 | - 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $30 | $44 | - 31% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $292 | $545 | - 46% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $112 | $149 | - 25% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $16 | $19 | - 15% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.84 | $7 | - 22% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 | $9 | - 12% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $605 | $502 | + 20% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $1.43 | $1.02 | + 39% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $75 | $73 | + 3% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $16 | $13 | + 19% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 0% | ||
This comparison is lacking data. It provides a decent comparison, but it is not yet reliable. It is based on 774 prices entered by 93 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 13, 2025.
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