Cost of Living in Chicago, IL
| Cost of Living in Chicago, IL | Compared to State Average | Compared to National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (Buy and Rent) | 88% higher | 50% higher |
| Utilities (Monthly) | 3% higher | 5% lower |
| Food | 7% higher | 5% higher |
| Healthcare | 16% higher | 12% higher |
| Transportation | 16% higher | 22% higher |
| Goods & Services | 12% higher | 6% higher |
The cost of living in Chicago, IL is 30% higher than the state average and 19% higher than the national average. Chicago, IL housing is 50% more expensive than the U.S average, while utilities are about 5% less pricey. When it comes to basic necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 6% more in Chicago, IL than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 6% more .
Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 12% more here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 6% 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 $2,309, while home prices circle around $555,672.
Both owning and renting come with utility expenses. These costs include basic services such as energy and telecommunications. In Chicago, energy bills cost around $154.61 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 $2.94 in Chicago, a dozen eggs go for around $3.22 and a pound of potatoes circles around $3.49.
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 $126.71, while a dentist appointment is priced $130.71 on average.
Transportation expenses depend on multiple factors, with fuel being the most important. A gallon of gas is priced around $4.10 in Chicago, while getting your tires balanced will run you about $83.90.
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 $34.91 here. Meanwhile, a pair of women's slacks will set you back around $27.04.
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 $15.81 a month. When it comes to personal services, a haircut usually goes for $31.73, while dry cleaning costs about $13.63.
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 $65,781.