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 | 44% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 1% lower | 6% lower |
| Food | 1% higher | 4% higher |
| Healthcare | 8% higher | 16% higher |
| Transportation | 1% higher | 4% higher |
| Goods & Services | 2% lower | 10% higher |
The cost of living in Chicago, IL is 4% higher than the state average and 18% higher than the national average. Chicago, IL housing is 44% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 6% 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 10% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 16% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 10% 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 $2,494, while home prices circle around $621,136.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Chicago, energy bills cost around $188.44 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 $4.93 and a pound of potatoes circles around $5.20.
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 $208.97, while a dentist appointment is priced $135.44 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $3.20 in Chicago, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $67.63.
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 $38.90 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $39.79.
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 $17.42 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $49.08, while dry cleaning costs about $15.10.
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 $77,902.