Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Chicago vs San Diego
Chicago vs San Diego 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 San DiegoChicago is 13% cheaper than San Diego
Living on $6,989 a month in Chicago feels like about $7,995 in San Diego β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$333 vs $369
Per month
$6,989 vs $7,995
Local meal
$ 16 vs $ 17
$16 vs $17
Taxi 5 km
$ 18 vs $ 17
$18 vs $17
At a glance
FoodChicago 6% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksChicago 12% cheaper
Transportsimilar
StayChicago 15% cheaper
Funsimilar
- Where Chicago is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (16%β)
Item by item
| Item | Chicago | San Diego | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 16$16 | $ 17$17 | Chicago β6% |
| Street food1 item | $ 7.2$7.2 | $ 7.7$7.7 | Chicago β6% |
| 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 | $ 17$17 | San Diego β6% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 11$11 | $ 12$12 | Chicago β8% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 2.5$2.5 | similar |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 57$57 | $ 60$60 | Chicago β5% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 180$180 | $ 210$210 | Chicago β14% |
| 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 | $ 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 San Diego?
Chicago is 13% cheaper than San Diego. Daily budget $333 vs $369; a month $6,989 vs $7,995.
How do monthly costs compare between Chicago and San Diego?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chicago is about $6,989 and San Diego about $7,995 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.