RelocatingRelo
← All cities

Cost of living
in Chicago.

Living in Chicago, United States costs about $2,700/month all-in for one person, and roughly $6,210/month for a family of four. That is cheaper than 10% of the 310 cities we track, and about 31% below New York.

Last updated August 2026 · How we calculate this

Single person, all-in $2,700/mo
Rent (studio)$1,215
Food & groceries$594
Utilities & internet$270
Transport$216
Fun & everything else$405
Family of four$6,210/mo
How it ranks

Cheaper than 10% of the 310 cities we track.

About 31% cheaper than New York.

Population 2.7M
Moving to United States? Full guide → Your take-home pay here → Salary you'd need here → Can I afford it? → What the move itself costs →

Figures are average all-in monthly costs for one person, in USD — estimates for guidance, not a personal budget. The breakdown is a typical split of the total. Convert to your currency →

Ask the people already there Public, pseudonymous city chat — real answers from people mid-move.

Living in Chicago — FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Chicago?

A single person needs roughly $2,700/month all-in in Chicago, United States — rent, food, transport and utilities. A family of four runs closer to $6,210/month.

Is Chicago expensive?

Chicago is cheaper than 10% of the 310 cities we track, and about 31% cheaper than New York.

Similar cost of living

See the whole world by cost →

🇬🇧 Edinburgh $2,700🇩🇪 Munich $2,700🇺🇸 Denver $2,700🇳🇱 The Hague $2,600🇳🇱 Utrecht $2,600🇸🇪 Stockholm $2,600🇩🇰 Aarhus $2,600🇫🇮 Helsinki $2,600

More cities in this country

🇺🇸 Kansas City $2,000🇺🇸 Detroit $2,000🇺🇸 San Antonio $2,100🇺🇸 Pittsburgh $2,100🇺🇸 Columbus $2,100🇺🇸 Houston $2,300🇺🇸 Orlando $2,300🇺🇸 Charlotte $2,300🇺🇸 Las Vegas $2,300🇺🇸 Salt Lake City $2,300🇺🇸 Atlanta $2,400🇺🇸 Dallas $2,400