Cost of Living in Chicago (2026) — Monthly Budget

Wondering how far your salary goes in Chicago? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.

What things cost

One-bed apartment, Loop or North SideUSD 1,900–2,600 / month

One-bed apartment, Logan Square or PilsenUSD 1,500–2,000 / month

CTA monthly passUSD 75 / month

Groceries, one personUSD 380–520 / month

Winter heating, one-bedUSD 80–160 / month from December to March

Good to know

Population

≈2.7 million in the city; ≈9.4 million across the metro area

Languages

English; Spanish is very widely spoken, with Polish the historic third language

Currency

United States dollar (USD)

Time zone

CST (GMT-6); CDT (GMT-5) from mid-March to early November

Power plug

Types A and B, 120 V / 60 Hz

Climate

Humid continental — hot humid summers, severe cold winters, and lake-effect snow off Lake Michigan

Driving side

Right

Sales tax

10.25% in the city — among the highest big-city rates in the US

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

A note on budgeting

Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Chicago checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.