Cost of Living in Chicago
Overall index: 107.4 — 12 points above Illinois average. Illinois statewide average: 95.
Where your money goes in Chicago
Estimated spending breakdown on a $75,000 salary in Chicago
Estimated annual spending: $71,120($3,880 remaining)
What things cost in Chicago
| Item | Chicago | Illinois avg | US avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home price | $330,000 | $260,000 | $360,000 |
| Average 2BR rent | $1,750/mo | $1,180/mo | $1,400/mo |
| Gas (regular) | $3.60/gal | $3.60/gal | $3.50/gal |
| Electric bill | $108/mo | $108/mo | $137/mo |
| Infant childcare | $18,200/yr | $16,107/yr | $13,500/yr |
Index by category
Chicago vs Illinois statewide. National average = 100.
FAQ
What is the cost of living in Chicago?
Chicago has an overall cost-of-living index of 107.4 (national average = 100). This is higher than the Illinois statewide average of 95. Median home prices are $330,000 and average 2BR rent is $1,750/month.
Is Chicago expensive to live in?
Chicago is near the national average with an index of 107.4.
How much does rent cost in Chicago?
Average 2-bedroom rent in Chicago is $1,750/month, compared to the national average of $1,400/month and the Illinois statewide average of $1,180/month.
How much does food cost in Chicago?
Groceries in Chicago have an index of 102.5 (national average = 100). A typical monthly grocery basket costs about $420 compared to the national average of $410. A dozen eggs costs around $5.07.
How much does childcare cost in Chicago?
Center-based infant childcare in Chicago averages $18,200/year ($1,517/month). This is significantly higher than the national average of $13,500/year. Data from Child Care Aware of America (2024).
How does housing cost in Chicago compare to Illinois?
Chicago's housing index is 118 vs the Illinois statewide average of 84.3. Median home prices are $330,000 in Chicago vs $260,000 statewide, and 2BR rent averages $1,750/month vs $1,180/month statewide.
How much does transportation cost in Chicago?
Chicago's transportation cost index is 108 (national average = 100). Regular gas averages $3.60/gallon. Transportation costs are near the national average.
What is the average utility bill in Chicago?
Chicago's utility cost index is 99 (national average = 100). The estimated average monthly electric bill is $108, compared to the national average of $137/month and the Illinois statewide average of $108/month. Utility rates are based on EIA 2024 residential electricity data.
What salary do I need to live in Chicago?
A $75,000 salary at the national average cost of living is equivalent to $80,550 in Chicago. Your money goes about as far or further than the national average.
What is the living wage in Chicago?
Based on Chicago's cost-of-living index of 107.4, a single adult needs approximately $53,700–$63,700/year to cover basic expenses (housing, food, transportation, healthcare). For a family of four, roughly double that. These estimates scale the national baseline by Chicago's local costs — actual needs vary by household size and lifestyle.
Where does this data come from?
Metro-level data combines BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), C2ER COLI metro indices (2025), Zillow ZHVI/ZORI metro data (2024-2025), and state-level data from MERIC, AAA, EIA, and Child Care Aware.
Related tools
- Illinois Cost of Living — Statewide averages and all metro areas
- Illinois Paycheck Calculator — Calculate take-home pay
- House Affordability in Illinois — How much house can you afford?
- Illinois Tax Brackets — State income tax rates and brackets
- Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payments for Chicago home prices
- Compare any two states
Metro-level data from BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), C2ER COLI (2025), and Zillow ZHVI (2024-2025). Where metro data is unavailable, Illinois statewide averages are used.