✦ Cost of living
Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
US = 100
Metro median gross rent: $1,390/mo · U.S. Census ACS 2023
In plain terms: Chicago is about 3% pricier than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,900/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing116+16%
- Food & groceries95−5%
- Transport101+1%
- Utilities90−10%
- Healthcare98−2%
- Goods & services98−2%
Is Chicago expensive?
Not really — Chicago indexes at 103 against a US average of 100, so a month here lands within a few percent of a typical US city. Expect the surprises in individual lines rather than in the total.
Of the 87 cities we track, Chicago ranks #38 by overall cost — 49 of them are cheaper.
What a month in Chicago costs
One person
$3,290/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$4,600/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$8,120/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $1,450 | $1,900 | $3,600 |
| Food & groceries | $440 | $640 | $1,060 |
| Transport | $610 | $890 | $1,490 |
| Utilities | $180 | $270 | $450 |
| Healthcare | $270 | $400 | $680 |
| Goods & services | $340 | $500 | $840 |
| Total per month | $3,290 | $4,600 | $8,120 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to Chicago
Big-city amenities and architecture at Midwest prices — the winters, though, are famously brutal.
- Currency
- US dollar ($ USD)
- Languages
- English
- Time zone
- UTC-6
- Internet
- 200 Mbps
- English
- Native language
- Safety
- 48/100
- Climate
- ❄ -4°C · ☀ 24°C · 189 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Power
- A/B · 120V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- Loop · Wicker Park · Lincoln Park
About
“The Windy City”
Big-city amenities and architecture at Midwest prices — the winters, though, are famously brutal.
- Currency
- US dollar · USD
- Languages
- English
- Coordinates
- 41.88, -87.63
- Emergency
- 911
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
37%
Income tax
progressive
0%
VAT / sales
7.65%
Social (employee)
21%
Corporate
20%
Capital gains
$4,300
Avg net salary
per month
Federal; states add 0–13.3% on top.
Visas & residency
Employment-based (H-1B, L-1, O-1) and family routes; famously hard for the green card.
✈ N/A for immigration; ESTA for short visits from VWP countries.
Lottery-based, employer-sponsored.
Max stay: 73 months
For top talent; no lottery.
Citizenship after ~5 yrs. Naturalization after 5 years as LPR (3 if married to citizen).
Quality of life
Quality of life
66/100
Safety
48/100
Healthcare
80/100
Pollution
45/100
Internet
200 Mbps
Jan avg
-4 °C
Jul avg
+24 °C
Sunny days
189/yr
Walkability
78/100
Public transit
78/100
Family-friendly
60/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Native
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 90
- Tap water
- Safe to drink
- Private health insurance
- $450/mo
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in Chicago without a car?
78/100
Car-free score
78/100
Walkability
78/100
Public transport
Yes — Chicago scores 78/100 on our car-free score, so commuting, errands and nights out all work on foot or by public transport. Most residents here can skip car ownership entirely, and the savings go straight into the rest of the budget.
Transport in Chicago indexes at 101 against a US average of 100 — about 1% more expensive than a typical US city. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
Chicago ranks #35 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in Chicago — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$1,900
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$1,450
- Inexpensive meal$18
- Monthly transit pass$105
- Utilities (monthly)$170
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
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? Frequently asked questions
Is Chicago, IL expensive to live in?
Chicago, IL's cost-of-living index is 103 (US average = 100) — about 3% more expensive than a typical US city — and it ranks #38 of the 87 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $3,290 a month and a family of four around $8,120, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in Chicago, IL?
Chicago, IL's cost-of-living index is 103 (US average = 100) — about 3% more expensive than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $1,900 per month.
What are the average living costs in Chicago, IL?
Living costs in Chicago, IL are about 3% more expensive than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 103 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $1,900. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Chicago, IL?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $1,900 per month, and around $1,450 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in United States?
United States has a top income-tax rate of 37% and a VAT or sales tax of 0%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Chicago, IL?
Chicago, IL averages around -4 °C in January and +24 °C in July, with roughly 189 sunny days a year.
Is Chicago, IL safe?
Chicago, IL scores 48 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in Chicago, IL without a car?
Chicago, IL scores 78/100 on our car-free score — 78/100 for walkability and 78/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
❖ Compare Chicago with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.