Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Chicago vs Vancouver
Chicago vs Vancouver cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money Β· Updated September 2026
πΊπΈ Chicago
π¨π¦ VancouverVancouver is 15% cheaper than Chicago
Living on $6,989 a month in Chicago feels like about $6,022 in Vancouver β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$333 vs $283
Per month
$6,989 vs $6,022
Local meal
$ 16 vs C$ 20
$16 vs $14.7
Taxi 5 km
$ 18 vs C$ 16
$18 vs $11.8
At a glance
FoodVancouver 12% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksVancouver 16% cheaper
TransportVancouver 11% cheaper
StayVancouver 11% cheaper
FunVancouver 10% cheaper
- Where Vancouver is clearly cheaper: Taxi (35%β), Restaurant dinner (21%β), Coffee (19%β)
Item by item
| Item | Chicago | Vancouver | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 16$16 | C$ 20$14.7 | Vancouver β8% |
| Street food1 item | $ 7.2$7.2 | C$ 9$6.62 | Vancouver β8% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 42$42 | C$ 45$33.1 | Vancouver β21% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5$5 | C$ 5.5$4.04 | Vancouver β19% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 7$7 | C$ 8$5.88 | Vancouver β16% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 18$18 | C$ 21$15.4 | Vancouver β14% |
| Bottled water | $ 2$2 | C$ 2.5$1.84 | Vancouver β8% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 5$5 | C$ 6.3$4.63 | Vancouver β7% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 18$18 | C$ 16$11.8 | Vancouver β35% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 11$11 | C$ 16$11.8 | Chicago β6% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.5$2.5 | C$ 3.2$2.35 | Vancouver β6% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 57$57 | C$ 68$50 | Vancouver β12% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 180$180 | C$ 220$162 | Vancouver β10% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 2,100$2,100 | C$ 2,500$1,838 | Vancouver β12% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | C$ 5.5$4.04 | similar |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 24$24 | C$ 34$25 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 34$34 | C$ 39$28.7 | Vancouver β16% |
| Massage1 hour | $ 96$96 | C$ 110$80.9 | Vancouver β16% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 86$86 | C$ 110$80.9 | Vancouver β6% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 24$24 | C$ 30$22.1 | Vancouver 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 Vancouver?
Vancouver is 15% cheaper than Chicago. Daily budget $333 vs $283; a month $6,989 vs $6,022.
How do monthly costs compare between Chicago and Vancouver?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chicago is about $6,989 and Vancouver about $6,022 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.