Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Chicago vs Las Vegas
Chicago vs Las Vegas cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Chicago
πΊπΈ Las VegasLas Vegas is 9% cheaper than Chicago
Living on $6,989 a month in Chicago feels like about $6,315 in Las Vegas β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$333 vs $307
Per month
$6,989 vs $6,315
Local meal
$ 16 vs $ 16
$16 vs $16
Taxi 5 km
$ 18 vs $ 18
$18 vs $18
At a glance
Foodsimilar
CafΓ©s & drinksChicago 12% cheaper
Transportsimilar
StayLas Vegas 23% cheaper
FunChicago 10% cheaper
- Where Las Vegas is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (29%β), Transit (20%β), Hotel night (17%β)
- Where Chicago is clearly cheaper: Tuk-tuk / moto taxi (21%β), Scooter rental (17%β)
Item by item
| Item | Chicago | Las Vegas | 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 | $ 45$45 | Chicago β7% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | $ 5.5$5.5 | Chicago β9% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 7$7 | $ 8$8 | Chicago β12% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 18$18 | $ 21$21 | Chicago β14% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | $ 2$2 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | $ 5$5 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 18$18 | $ 18$18 | similar |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 11$11 | $ 14$14 | Chicago β21% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 2$2 | Las Vegas β20% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 57$57 | $ 69$69 | Chicago β17% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 180$180 | $ 150$150 | Las Vegas β17% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,100$2,100 | $ 1,500$1,500 | Las Vegas β29% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4$4 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 24$24 | $ 25$25 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 34$34 | $ 39$39 | Chicago β13% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 96$96 | $ 110$110 | Chicago β13% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 86$86 | $ 100$100 | Chicago β14% |
| 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 Las Vegas?
Las Vegas is 9% cheaper than Chicago. Daily budget $333 vs $307; a month $6,989 vs $6,315.
How do monthly costs compare between Chicago and Las Vegas?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chicago is about $6,989 and Las Vegas about $6,315 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.