Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Boston vs Chicago
Boston vs Chicago cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Boston
πΊπΈ ChicagoChicago is 23% cheaper than Boston
Living on $9,315 a month in Boston feels like about $6,989 in Chicago β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$427 vs $333
Per month
$9,315 vs $6,989
Local meal
$ 18 vs $ 16
$18 vs $16
Taxi 5 km
$ 20 vs $ 18
$20 vs $18
At a glance
FoodChicago 13% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksChicago 12% cheaper
TransportChicago 6% cheaper
StayChicago 29% cheaper
Funsimilar
- Where Chicago is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (30%β), Hotel night (28%β), Restaurant dinner (16%β)
Item by item
| Item | Boston | Chicago | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 18$18 | $ 16$16 | Chicago β11% |
| Street food1 item | $ 8.1$8.1 | $ 7.2$7.2 | Chicago β11% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 50$50 | $ 42$42 | Chicago β16% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.5$5.5 | $ 5$5 | Chicago β9% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 8$8 | $ 7$7 | Chicago β12% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 21$21 | $ 18$18 | Chicago β14% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2$2 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 5$5 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 20$20 | $ 18$18 | Chicago β10% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 12$12 | $ 11$11 | Chicago β8% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 2.5$2.5 | similar |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 60$60 | $ 57$57 | Chicago β5% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 250$250 | $ 180$180 | Chicago β28% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 3,000$3,000 | $ 2,100$2,100 | Chicago β30% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4$4 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 25$25 | $ 24$24 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 35$35 | $ 34$34 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | $ 100$100 | $ 96$96 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 90$90 | $ 86$86 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 25$25 | $ 24$24 | similar |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Boston or Chicago?
Chicago is 23% cheaper than Boston. Daily budget $427 vs $333; a month $9,315 vs $6,989.
How do monthly costs compare between Boston and Chicago?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Boston is about $9,315 and Chicago about $6,989 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.