Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities βΊ Chicago vs Washington, D.C.
Chicago vs Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C.Chicago is 17% cheaper than Washington, D.C.
Living on $6,989 a month in Chicago feels like about $8,052 in Washington, D.C. β same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$333 vs $396
Per month
$6,989 vs $8,052
Local meal
$ 16 vs $ 17
$16 vs $17
Taxi 5 km
$ 18 vs $ 18
$18 vs $18
At a glance
FoodChicago 8% cheaper
CafΓ©s & drinksChicago 12% cheaper
Transportsimilar
StayChicago 19% cheaper
Funsimilar
- Where Washington, D.C. is clearly cheaper: Transit (20%β)
- Where Chicago is clearly cheaper: Hotel night (22%β), Studio rent (month) (16%β)
Item by item
| Item | Chicago | Washington, D.C. | 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 | $ 48$48 | Chicago β12% |
| 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 | $ 12$12 | Chicago β8% |
| Transitone ride | $ 2.5$2.5 | $ 2$2 | Washington, D.C. β20% |
| Scooter rentalper day | $ 57$57 | $ 60$60 | Chicago β5% |
| Hotel night3-star | $ 180$180 | $ 230$230 | Chicago β22% |
| 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 Washington, D.C.?
Chicago is 17% cheaper than Washington, D.C.. Daily budget $333 vs $396; a month $6,989 vs $8,052.
How do monthly costs compare between Chicago and Washington, D.C.?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Chicago is about $6,989 and Washington, D.C. about $8,052 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.