Toronto vs Chicago Cost of Living

Toronto (Canada) · Overall index 67.1Chicago (United States) · Overall index 74.6

Summary

  • Overall, Chicago is 11% more expensive than Toronto.
  • Dining out in Chicago is 16% more expensive than in Toronto.
  • Utilities & household in Chicago is 12% more expensive than in Toronto.
ItemTorontoChicagoDiff
Rent+10%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,981$2,414+22%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,407$1,482+5%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$3,672$4,031+10%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$2,749$2,862+4%
Groceries+11%
Milk (1L)$1.19$1.25+5%
White bread (500g)$3.39$3.47+2%
Rice (1kg)$4.39$4.76+8%
Eggs (12)$4.27$4.23-1%
Local cheese (1kg)$11.2$13+16%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$9.45$10.4+10%
Beef round (1kg)$14$19.2+37%
Apples (1kg)$4.7$5.05+7%
Bananas (1kg)$1.87$1.88+1%
Oranges (1kg)$3.71$4.74+28%
Tomatoes (1kg)$4.59$5.43+18%
Potatoes (1kg)$2.56$2.6+2%
Onions (1kg)$2.05$2.33+14%
Lettuce (1 head)$2.32$2.27-2%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.89$2.2+16%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$12.4$15.8+27%
Transport+10%
Public transport, one-way ticket$2.15$2.26+5%
Public transport, monthly pass$94.1$108+15%
Taxi, base fare$2.85$3.52+24%
Taxi, per km$1.46$1.59+9%
Gasoline (1L)$0.8$0.82+2%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$22,934$24,668+8%
Dining out+16%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$15.9$20.5+29%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$100$118+18%
Fast food combo meal$9.49$9.8+3%
Cappuccino$3.96$4.47+13%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.93$2.58+34%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$5.65$5.87+4%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$6.42$7.42+16%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.79$2.09+17%
Telecom+8%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$54.7$54.4-1%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$58$66.4+14%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.28$0.29+4%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$13.3$15+13%
Utilities & household+12%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$147$152+3%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.19$0.2+5%
Tap water (1m³)$4.15$4.140%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.14$1.24+9%
Waste collection (monthly)$16.6$21.7+31%
Fitness club (monthly)$73.8$74.10%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$11.3$15+33%
Men's haircut$24.9$30+20%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$20.1$24.1+20%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$1,657$1,761+6%

3,141 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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