Cost of Living in Chicago, United States
Chicago is a city in United States, where a single person can expect to spend about $2,961 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $2,469 per month, or $1,671 outside the centre. Internet is fast at around 303 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Chicago scores 35/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 80°F and winter highs around 37°F, with roughly 213 sunny days a year.
Chicago Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Chicago
How Chicago Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Chicago ranks in the top 4% for internet speed, but sits in the bottom 9% for safety. It costs more than 91% of them.
| Metric | Chicago | World rank | Rank in United States & Canada |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $2,961 | #312 of 340 | #62 of 80 |
| Safety | 35/100 | #312 of 340 | #70 of 80 |
| Healthcare | 65/100 | #200 of 340 | #69 of 80 |
| Internet speed | 303 Mbps | #13 of 340 | #1 of 80 |
| Walkability | 77/100 | #58 of 340 | #7 of 80 |
| Public transit | 65/100 | #80 of 340 | #9 of 80 |
| Food scene | 88/100 | #40 of 340 | #6 of 80 |
| Air quality | 79/100 | #205 of 340 | #55 of 80 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Chicago
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Chicago.
- Baltimore, United States — $2,071/mo, 30% cheaper, safety 28/100
- Santa Fe, United States — $2,040/mo, 31% cheaper, safety 50/100
- Pittsburgh, United States — $2,322/mo, 22% cheaper, safety 46/100
- Buffalo, United States — $2,388/mo, 19% cheaper, safety 38/100
Neighborhoods in Chicago
Wicker Park · Logan Square · Lincoln Park · Pilsen
Chicago FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Chicago?
A single person should budget around $2,961 per month in Chicago, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs. A family of four typically needs about $4,754 per month excluding rent.
How much is rent in Chicago?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Chicago averages $2,469 per month, dropping to about $1,671 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $4,750.
Is Chicago safe?
Chicago scores 35/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 50/100.
How fast is the internet in Chicago?
Median download speeds in Chicago are around 303 Mbps — fast for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 120 coworking spaces in the city.
Does United States offer a digital nomad visa?
United States does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders should check current entry requirements before traveling.
What is the weather like in Chicago?
Chicago sees summer highs around 80°F and winter highs near 37°F, with about 213 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 93 days.
Chicago in our travel guides
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