Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Chicago vs Los Angeles
Chicago vs Los Angeles 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 Los AngelesChicago is 14% cheaper than Los Angeles
Living on $6,989 a month in Chicago feels like about $8,136 in Los Angeles β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$333 vs $369
Per month
$6,989 vs $8,136
Local meal
$ 16 vs $ 18
$16 vs $18
Taxi 5 km
$ 18 vs $ 20
$18 vs $20
At a glance
FoodChicago 10% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksChicago 12% cheaper
Transportsimilar
StayChicago 13% cheaper
FunChicago 6% cheaper
- Where Los Angeles is clearly cheaper: Transit (30%β)
- Where Chicago is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (16%β)
Item by item
| Item | Chicago | Los Angeles | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 16$16 | $ 18$18 | Chicago β11% |
| Street food1 item | $ 7.2$7.2 | $ 8.1$8.1 | Chicago β11% |
| 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 | $ 20$20 | Chicago β10% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 11$11 | $ 12$12 | Chicago β8% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 1.75$1.75 | Los Angeles β30% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 57$57 | $ 62$62 | Chicago β8% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 180$180 | $ 200$200 | Chicago β10% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,100$2,100 | $ 2,500$2,500 | Chicago β16% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 4$4 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 24$24 | $ 26$26 | Chicago β8% |
| Haircutcut | $ 34$34 | $ 35$35 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | $ 96$96 | $ 100$100 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 86$86 | $ 93$93 | Chicago β8% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 24$24 | $ 26$26 | Chicago β8% |
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 Los Angeles?
Chicago is 14% cheaper than Los Angeles. Daily budget $333 vs $369; a month $6,989 vs $8,136.
How do monthly costs compare between Chicago and Los Angeles?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chicago is about $6,989 and Los Angeles about $8,136 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.