Cost of Living Comparison Between Phoenix, AZ and Chicago, IL 
| Indices Difference |  |
|---|---|
| Cost of Living in Chicago, IL is 2.2% higher than in Phoenix, AZ (excluding rent) | |
| Cost of Living Including Rent in Chicago, IL is 13.6% higher than in Phoenix, AZ | |
| Rent Prices in Chicago, IL are 39.0% higher than in Phoenix, AZ | |
| Restaurant Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.1% higher than in Phoenix, AZ | |
| Groceries Prices in Chicago, IL are 4.4% higher than in Phoenix, AZ | |
| Local Purchasing Power in Chicago, IL is 4.8% higher than in Phoenix, AZ | |
Restaurants | Phoenix, AZ Edit |
Chicago, IL Edit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 20.00 $ | 20.00 $ | 0.0 % |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 90.00 $ | 100.00 $ | +11.1 % |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 12.49 $ | 13.00 $ | +4.1 % |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 6.00 $ | 7.00 $ | +16.7 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 8.00 $ | 9.00 $ | +12.5 % |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 6.43 $ | 5.61 $ | -12.7 % |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 2.84 $ | 3.11 $ | +9.2 % |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 2.26 $ | 2.26 $ | -0.2 % |
Markets | Phoenix, AZ Edit |
Chicago, IL Edit | |
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 0.88 $ | 1.33 $ | +51.2 % |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 3.92 $ | 3.70 $ | -5.5 % |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 2.41 $ | 2.43 $ | +1.0 % |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 4.92 $ | 4.78 $ | -2.9 % |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 6.38 $ | 6.48 $ | +1.5 % |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 5.84 $ | 6.60 $ | +13.0 % |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 6.85 $ | 7.67 $ | +12.1 % |
| Apples (1 lb) | 2.46 $ | 2.35 $ | -4.4 % |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 0.82 $ | 0.85 $ | +3.7 % |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 2.04 $ | 1.76 $ | -13.8 % |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 3.00 $ | 1.99 $ | -33.9 % |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 1.55 $ | 1.14 $ | -26.5 % |
| Onions (1 lb) | 1.50 $ | 1.16 $ | -22.3 % |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 2.22 $ | 2.41 $ | +8.3 % |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 2.39 $ | 2.65 $ | +10.6 % |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 15.00 $ | 15.00 $ | 0.0 % |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 2.33 $ | 3.02 $ | +29.6 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 2.78 $ | 3.51 $ | +26.1 % |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 10.69 $ | 18.00 $ | +68.4 % |
Transportation | Phoenix, AZ Edit |
Chicago, IL Edit | |
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 2.00 $ | 2.50 $ | +25.0 % |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 64.00 $ | 75.00 $ | +17.2 % |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 2.75 $ | 3.25 $ | +18.2 % |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 2.22 $ | 2.25 $ | +1.4 % |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 36.00 $ | 22.50 $ | -37.5 % |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 0.94 $ | 1.01 $ | +6.5 % |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 36,293.00 $ | 35,265.50 $ | -2.8 % |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 25,841.94 $ | 26,107.85 $ | +1.0 % |
Utilities (Monthly) | Phoenix, AZ Edit |
Chicago, IL Edit | |
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 272.66 $ | 166.32 $ | -39.0 % |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 70.41 $ | 70.41 $ | +0.0 % |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 82.61 $ | 64.81 $ | -21.5 % |
Sports And Leisure | Phoenix, AZ Edit |
Chicago, IL Edit | |
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 44.76 $ | 67.68 $ | +51.2 % |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 19.17 $ | 29.00 $ | +51.3 % |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 13.50 $ | 17.00 $ | +25.9 % |
Childcare | Phoenix, AZ Edit |
Chicago, IL Edit | |
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 1,668.00 $ | 1,825.00 $ | +9.4 % |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 24,512.50 $ | 30,287.27 $ | +23.6 % |
Clothing And Shoes | Phoenix, AZ Edit |
Chicago, IL Edit | |
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 58.63 $ | 64.14 $ | +9.4 % |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 47.95 $ | 50.00 $ | +4.3 % |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 99.24 $ | 100.35 $ | +1.1 % |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 120.77 $ | 153.53 $ | +27.1 % |
Rent Per Month | Phoenix, AZ Edit |
Chicago, IL Edit | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 1,787.20 $ | 2,388.16 $ | +33.6 % |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 1,418.12 $ | 1,731.24 $ | +22.1 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 2,997.06 $ | 4,631.25 $ | +54.5 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 2,202.84 $ | 2,933.31 $ | +33.2 % |
Buy Apartment Price | Phoenix, AZ Edit |
Chicago, IL Edit | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 443.70 $ | 356.96 $ | -19.5 % |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 303.33 $ | 240.33 $ | -20.8 % |
Salaries And Financing | Phoenix, AZ Edit |
Chicago, IL Edit | |
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 4,012.89 $ | 4,775.28 $ | +19.0 % |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 6.55 | 6.87 | +4.9 % |
| Last update: | 15 April 2026 | 15 April 2026 | |
| Contributors in the past 12 months: | 80 | 159 | |
Moving to Phoenix, AZ? Explore:
Moving to Chicago, IL? Explore:
Cities near Phoenix, AZ: | Cost of Living in Scottsdale, Arizona | 12.83 miles |
| Cost of Living in Peoria, Arizona | 13.45 miles |
| Cost of Living in Apache Junction, Arizona | 35.29 miles |
| Cost of Living in Cottonwood, Arizona | 103.09 miles |
| Cost of Living in Tucson, Arizona | 116.20 miles |
| Cost of Living in Indio, California | 246.45 miles |
| Cost of Living in Imperial, California | 248.19 miles |
Cities near Chicago, IL: | Cost of Living in Oak Park, Illinois | 9.14 miles |
| Cost of Living in Evanston, Illinois | 14.20 miles |
| Cost of Living in La Grange Park, Illinois | 15.03 miles |
| Cost of Living in Franklin Park, Illinois | 16.69 miles |
| Cost of Living in Des Plaines, Illinois | 20.82 miles |
| Cost of Living in Addison, Illinois | 22.10 miles |
| Cost of Living in East Chicago, Indiana | 23.76 miles |
| Cost of Living in Wheaton, Illinois | 25.81 miles |
| Cost of Living in Arlington Heights, Illinois | 27.19 miles |
| Cost of Living in Bolingbrook, Illinois | 29.21 miles |