Chicago, IL Cost of Living


270 Reviews



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How much do I need to live in Chicago, Illinois?
$4,530 / month
for a family, 16.1% less expensive than the national average
$4,300 / month
for a single person, 9.8% less expensive than the national average

Chicago cost of living score
105.7
More expensive
5.7% higher
than the US average
12.8% higher
than the Illinois average
Chicago, Illinois gets a BestPlaces Cost of Living score of 105.7, which means the total cost of housing, food, childcare, transportation, healthcare, taxes, and other necessities is 5.7% higher than the U.S. average and 12.8% higher than the average for Illinois.

Chicago, IL

Housing costs in Chicago?
A typical home costs $284,100, which is 16.0% less expensive than the national average of $338,100 and 17.5% more expensive than the average Illinois home, at $241,700. Renting a two-bedroom unit in Chicago costs $1,480 per month, which is 3.5% more than the national average of $1,430 and 14.9% more than the state average of $1,260.

Can I afford Chicago?
To live comfortably in Chicago, Illinois, a minimum annual income of $54,360 for a family, and $51,600 for a single person is recommended.

What does A.I. say about Chicago?
Living in Chicago comes with an average cost of living that is slightly higher than the US average. The median household income is $60,196 while the median home value is $261,400. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment averages around $1,200 per month in the city center but can be lower if you choose to live further away from downtown areas. Utilities such as electricity, water, gas, and internet are all relatively inexpensive while food costs tend to be similar throughout Illinois due to regional competition between grocery stores. Entertainment costs like tickets for concerts or sporting events can be expensive compared to other states but overall shopping tends to be cheaper due to the abundance of large malls in the city area.
   Cost of living score
     CategoriesChicagoIllinoisUnited States
  105.793.7100.0
  97.294100
  88.096.9100.0
  99.880.2100.0
  $284,100$241,700$338,100
  92.897.7100
  138.5106.2100.0
  139.8107.8100.0

   100=National Average

   Average Rent by Bedroom Size
Reviews for Chicago
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I've lived in Chicago city and later moved to suburbs when family size increased. Absolutely love this city. This is the cleanest and most beautiful among the major  More

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Chicago is probably the best value in a major city that you can find and my personal favorite city. It will become increasingly important as climate change makes the  More

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I've live on north side and south side, UIC medical center. Don't move here go to the north side. No good amenities, if you get bored with one there is no other choices.  More

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