Cost of Living in Chicago, IL
| Cost of Living in Chicago, IL | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 13% higher | 40% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 1% lower | 3% lower |
| Food | 2% higher | 4% higher |
| Healthcare | 3% higher | 8% higher |
| Transportation | 1% higher | 7% higher |
| Goods & Services | 2% higher | 7% higher |
The cost of living in Chicago, IL is 5% higher than the state average and 15% higher than the national average. Chicago, IL housing is 40% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 3% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 4% pricier in Chicago, IL than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 7% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 8% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 7% pricier in Chicago, IL.
Housing is the most significant expense for most American households. The cost of living in a certain city takes into account both the price of rent and the price of a home. The average monthly rent in Chicago is $2,381, while home prices circle around $566,384.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Chicago, energy bills cost around $184.25 per month.
Food is the most important necessity and its cost varies around the country. This section includes the prices of everyday foods such as produce, meat and dairy. A bottle of milk costs about $4.88 in Chicago, a dozen eggs go for around $3.50 and a pound of potatoes circles around $4.33.
The benchmark for this category is based on the prices of family doctor visits and specialized services such as optometry. In Chicago, an optometry check-up costs around $113.83, while a dentist appointment is priced $126.00 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.55 in Chicago, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $67.89.
The cost of clothing tells you how much more or less money you need to buy basic items such as jeans, shirts or slacks in a new city. A men's shirt costs around $34.52 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $34.80.
The cost of entertainment and everyday services is based on common expenses in each category. For a movie ticket in Chicago, you should budget around $17.53 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $39.33, while dry cleaning costs about $14.87.
The cost of living also takes median household income into account, so you can estimate how much more or less you could be earning in a new city by comparing it to the income in your current area. In Chicago, the median household income is $75,134.