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Chicago vs Washington, D.C. cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐บ๐ธ Chicago
๐บ๐ธ Washington, D.C.
At a glance
- Where Washington, D.C. is clearly cheaper: Scooter rental (39%โ), Transit (18%โ), Taxi (18%โ)
- Where Chicago is clearly cheaper: Street food (43%โ), Laundry (33%โ), Local meal (23%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Both cities are about equally easy to travel. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Chicago | Washington, D.C. | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | $ 17$17 | $ 22$22 | Chicago โ23% |
| Street food1 item | $ 8$8 | $ 14$14 | Chicago โ43% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | $ 42$42 | $ 50$50 | Chicago โ16% |
| Coffeeone cup | $ 5.5$5.5 | $ 6$6 | Chicago โ8% |
| Beerone bottle | $ 7.5$7.5 | $ 8.5$8.5 | Chicago โ12% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | $ 15$15 | $ 17$17 | Chicago โ12% |
| Bottled water | $ 1.8$1.8 | $ 2.3$2.3 | Chicago โ22% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | $ 2.7$2.7 | $ 3$3 | Chicago โ10% |
| Taxi5 km in town | $ 17$17 | $ 14$14 | Washington, D.C. โ18% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | $ 10$10 | $ 9$9 | Washington, D.C. โ10% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.75$2.75 | $ 2.25$2.25 | Washington, D.C. โ18% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 57$57 | $ 35$35 | Washington, D.C. โ39% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 180$180 | $ 230$230 | Chicago โ22% |
| Studio rent (month) | $ 1,950$1,950 | $ 2,200$2,200 | Chicago โ11% |
| Laundry | $ 4$4 | $ 6$6 | Chicago โ33% |
| SIM card1 week data | $ 30$30 | $ 30$30 | similar |
| Haircutcut | $ 35$35 | $ 35$35 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | $ 85$85 | $ 110$110 | Chicago โ23% |
| Half-day tourper person | $ 60$60 | $ 50$50 | Washington, D.C. โ17% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | $ 33$33 | $ 30$30 | Washington, D.C. โ9% |
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 Washington, D.C.?
Chicago is 14% cheaper than Washington, D.C.. Daily budget $334 vs $402; a month $6,737 vs $7,631.
Which is easier to travel, Chicago or Washington, D.C.?
About the same: Chicago 1.4/5, Washington, D.C. 1.4/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Chicago and Washington, D.C.?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chicago is about $6,737 and Washington, D.C. about $7,631 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.