Cost of Living in Chicago vs Toronto

Cost of living in Chicago is 6% higher than in Toronto (without rent).

Rent in Chicago is very similar to Toronto.

Cost of living including rent in Chicago is 4% higher than in Toronto.

Food in Chicago is 12% more expensive than in Toronto.

Transport in Chicago is 20% cheaper than in Toronto.

Chicago vs. Toronto Comparision

Chicago Toronto
Cost of Living, including rent
2,667 $
2,575 $
Without Rent
1,087 $
1,024 $
Rent & Utilities
1,579 $
1,551 $
Food
700 $
626 $
Transport
205 $
255 $
Monthly Salary, after tax
4,901 $
3,590 $
Quality of Life
96
94
Population
2.8M
2.8M

Compare other cities?

Chicago Toronto

Restaurants

Lunch menu,
inexpensive restaurant
21 $ 16.4 $
Dinner, for 2 87.3 $ 81.8 $
Fast food, McDonalds or KFC 11.7 $ 11 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 7.62 $ 6.33 $
Capuccino 5.4 $ 4.66 $
Coke, 330ml 3.12 $ 2.14 $

Markets

Milk, 1 L or 1 qt 1.02 $ 3.15 $
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1 lb 3.92 $ 2.6 $
Rice, 1 kg or 2 lb 5 $ 3.08 $
Eggs, 12 pack 3.69 $ 3.95 $
Cheese, 1 kg or 2 lb 14.8 $ 14 $
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2 lb 12.8 $ 13 $
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2 lb 19.9 $ 14 $
Apples, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.97 $ 4.01 $
Banana, 1 kg or 2 lb 1.91 $ 1.46 $
Oranges, 1 kg or 2 lb 4.81 $ 3.58 $
Potatoes, 1 kg or 2 lb 2.34 $ 2.57 $
Onions, 1 kg or 2 lb 3.08 $ 2.82 $
Water, 1 L or 1 qt 1.93 $ 1.24 $
Coca-Cola / Pepsi, 2 L or 67.6 fl oz 2.86 $ 2.48 $
Wine, 750 mL bottle 14.8 $ 14.7 $
Beer, 0.5 L or 16 fl oz 2.9 $ 2.7 $
Cigarette pack 16.6 $ 14.1 $

Transport

Local transport ticket, One-way Ticket 2.49 $ 2.46 $
Monthly pass, Monthly Ticket 76.5 $ 119 $
Gas or petrol, 1 L or 0.26 gal 1.12 $ 1.15 $
Taxi, 8 km 16.6 $ 16.3 $

Personal Care

Doctor visit, private clinic 126 $ 69.6 $
Cold medicine, for 1 week 11.6 $ 13.9 $
Hair shampoo, 400 ml or 12 oz 6.03 $ 7.04 $
Toilet paper, 4 rolls 3.65 $ 3.36 $
Toothpaste, 1 tube 1.81 $ 3.37 $

Utilities per Month

Utility bill - 1 person,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
102 $ 80.8 $
Utility bill - family,
electricity, heating, water & garbage
156 $ 124 $
Internet plan,
+60 Mbps
59.1 $ 50.5 $

Rent per Month

1 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 40 sq.m 1,280 $ 1,358 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, outside of center, 85 sq.m 2,594 $ 2,388 $
1 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 40 sq.m 1,974 $ 1,664 $
3 Bedroom Apartment, in city center, 85 sq.m 3,828 $ 2,901 $

Buy Apartment Price

Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment, in city center 3,554 $ 10,232 $
Price per Square Meter to Buy House, in suburbs 3,158 $ 8,102 $

Salaries and Financing

Average Monthly Net Salary, after tax 4,901 $ 3,590 $
Mortgage Interest Rate, for 20 years fixed-rate 6.61 % 6.43 %

Sports and Leisure

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 63.1 $ 56.8 $
Cinema, 1 seat 15 $ 13.3 $
Haircut 29.3 $ 23.3 $

Clothing and Shoes

Brand Sneakers, mid-range, Nike or similar 95.5 $ 99.9 $
Brand Jeans, Levis 501 62.2 $ 58.7 $

Childcare

Preschool, full day, monthly for 1 child 2,457 $ 1,200 $
International Primary School, yearly for 1 child 19,423 $ 18,156 $