Cost of Living in Cambridge vs Chicago

Cost of living in Cambridge is 7% lower than in Chicago (without rent).

Rent in Cambridge is 74% more expensive than in Chicago.

Cost of living including rent in Cambridge is 41% higher than in Chicago.

Food in Cambridge is 6% more expensive than in Chicago.

Transport in Cambridge is 68% cheaper than in Chicago.

Cambridge vs. Chicago Comparision

Cambridge Chicago
Cost of Living, including rent
3,756 $
2,667 $
Without Rent
1,006 $
1,087 $
Rent & Utilities
2,751 $
1,579 $
Food
742 $
700 $
Transport
66 $
205 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
6,267 $
4,901 $
Quality of Life
89
96
Population
118.0K
2.8M

Compare other cities?

Cambridge Chicago

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
24.2 $ 21 $
Dinner, for 2 100 $ 87.3 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 13.1 $ 11.7 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 8 $ 7.62 $
Capuccino 5.34 $ 5.4 $
Coke, 330ml 3.09 $ 3.12 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.13 $ 1.02 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 4.01 $ 3.92 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.88 $ 5 $
Eggs, 12 pack 4.6 $ 3.69 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 15.1 $ 14.8 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 13.4 $ 12.8 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 20.5 $ 19.9 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 5.49 $ 4.97 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.82 $ 1.91 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.75 $ 4.81 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.56 $ 2.34 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.74 $ 3.08 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.75 $ 1.93 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.66 $ 2.86 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 15.1 $ 14.8 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 1.75 $ 2.9 $
Cigarette pack 12.8 $ 16.6 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 2.44 $ 2.49 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 89.9 $ 76.5 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 0.96 $ 1.12 $
Taxi, 8 km 16.7 $ 16.6 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 153 $ 126 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 6.59 $ 11.6 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 7.3 $ 6.03 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 4.02 $ 3.65 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 2 $ 1.81 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
102 $ 102 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
155 $ 156 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
56.6 $ 59.1 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 2,601 $ 1,280 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 3,505 $ 2,594 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 2,559 $ 1,974 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 5,150 $ 3,828 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 4,875 $ 3,554 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 4,826 $ 3,158 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 6,267 $ 4,901 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.64 % 6.61 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 100 $ 63.1 $
Cinema, 1 seat 16.2 $ 15 $
Haircut 20.8 $ 29.3 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 100 $ 95.5 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 60.7 $ 62.2 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 2,428 $ 2,457 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 24,792 $ 19,423 $