Cost of living in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 21% more expensive than in Melbourne (Australia)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 726 prices entered by 118 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 27% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 27% more expensive than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $23 (AU$37) | AU$24 | + 53% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $12 (AU$19) | AU$16 | + 20% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $7 (AU$12) | AU$9 | + 24% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.97 (AU$1.55) | AU$2.28 | - 32% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.72 (AU$9) | AU$8 | + 19% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.44 (AU$7) | AU$7 | - 4% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (AU$11) | AU$11 | + 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.94 (AU$8) | AU$5.22 | + 51% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.30 (AU$3.67) | AU$3.83 | - 4% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $4.13 (AU$7) | AU$8 | - 13% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 (AU$24) | AU$19 | + 25% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.84 (AU$4.53) | AU$4.11 | + 10% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.98 (AU$6) | AU$3.16 | + 101% | |
| Housing | + 43% | |||
| Housing in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 43% more expensive than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $3,969 (AU$6,327) | AU$4,025 | + 57% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,666 (AU$4,250) | AU$2,686 | + 58% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $148 (AU$236) | AU$285 | - 17% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,242 (AU$3,575) | AU$2,291 | + 56% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,523 (AU$2,428) | AU$1,953 | + 24% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $140 (AU$223) | AU$201 | + 11% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $64 (AU$101) | AU$74 | + 38% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $241 (AU$384) | AU$672 | - 43% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $193 (AU$307) | AU$260 | + 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $9 (AU$14) | AU$14 | - 3% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $40 (AU$64) | AU$49 | + 31% | |
| Clothes | - 13% | |||
| Clothes in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 13% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $59 (AU$94) | AU$118 | - 20% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $50 (AU$80) | AU$93 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $96 (AU$153) | AU$172 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $144 (AU$229) | AU$235 | - 3% | |
| Transportation | - 25% | |||
| Transportation in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 25% cheaper than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $30,478 (AU$48,584) | AU$39,525 | + 23% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.05 (AU$1.67) | AU$1.91 | - 13% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $75 (AU$120) | AU$181 | - 34% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $16 (AU$25) | AU$29 | - 14% | |
| Personal Care | + 82% | |||
| Personal Care in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 82% more expensive than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $10 (AU$15) | AU$8 | + 101% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $44 (AU$70) | AU$19 | + 271% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $127 (AU$203) | AU$81 | + 149% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (AU$11) | AU$7 | + 61% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.27 (AU$7) | AU$5.66 | + 20% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 (AU$10) | AU$11 | - 14% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.73 (AU$5.94) | AU$4.98 | + 19% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.86 (AU$2.97) | AU$5.82 | - 49% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $37 (AU$59) | AU$43 | + 37% | |
| Entertainment | + 59% | |||
| Entertainment in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 59% more expensive than in Melbourne (Australia) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Melbourne | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $60 (AU$96) | AU$79 | + 22% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $30 (AU$48) | AU$44 | + 8% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $236 (AU$376) | AU$379 | - 1% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $100 (AU$159) | AU$122 | + 31% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $16 (AU$26) | AU$24 | + 9% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.72 (AU$9) | AU$5.45 | + 67% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 (AU$12) | AU$13 | - 14% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $619 (AU$986) | AU$1,002 | - 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $1.21 (AU$1.93) | AU$0.45 | + 333% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $71 (AU$113) | AU$92 | + 23% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $15 (AU$24) | AU$45 | - 47% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 21% | ||
These prices were last updated on March 23, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.594
AUD
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 726 prices entered by 118 different people.
Detailed prices for each city individually
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