Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities โบ Chicago vs Denver
Chicago vs Denver cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated September 2026
๐บ๐ธ Chicago
๐บ๐ธ DenverDenver is 5% cheaper than Chicago
Living on $6,989 a month in Chicago feels like about $6,288 in Denver โ same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$333 vs $331
Per month
$6,989 vs $6,288
Local meal
$ 16 vs $ 16
$16 vs $16
Taxi 5 km
$ 18 vs $ 17
$18 vs $17
At a glance
Foodsimilar
Cafรฉs & drinkssimilar
TransportChicago 7% cheaper
StayDenver 7% cheaper
Funsimilar
- Where Chicago is clearly cheaper: Transit (17%โ)
Item by item
| Item | Chicago | Denver | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 16$16 | $ 16$16 | similar |
| Street food1 item | $ 7.2$7.2 | $ 7.2$7.2 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 42$42 | $ 42$42 | similar |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | $ 5$5 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | $ 7$7 | $ 7$7 | similar |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 18$18 | $ 18$18 | similar |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2$2 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 5$5 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 18$18 | $ 17$17 | Denver โ6% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 11$11 | $ 12$12 | Chicago โ8% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 3$3 | Chicago โ17% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 57$57 | $ 60$60 | Chicago โ5% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 180$180 | $ 180$180 | similar |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,100$2,100 | $ 1,800$1,800 | Denver โ14% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4$4 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 24$24 | $ 25$25 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 34$34 | $ 35$35 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | $ 96$96 | $ 100$100 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 86$86 | $ 90$90 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 24$24 | $ 25$25 | 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, Chicago or Denver?
Denver is 5% cheaper than Chicago. Daily budget $333 vs $331; a month $6,989 vs $6,288.
How do monthly costs compare between Chicago and Denver?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chicago is about $6,989 and Denver about $6,288 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.