Cost of living in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 23% more expensive than in Detroit, Michigan (United States)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 480 prices entered by 77 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 4% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is about the same as in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $19 | $18 | + 8% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $11 | $10 | + 11% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.11 | $5.61 | - 9% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.86 | $0.87 | - 1% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.55 | $4.91 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $3.64 | $3.62 | + 0% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $5.76 | $6 | - 5% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.88 | $4.50 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.69 | $2.69 | - 37% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.36 | $2.02 | + 67% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $15 | $10 | + 40% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.87 | $2.97 | - 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.12 | $2.78 | + 13% | |
| Housing | + 11% | |||
| Housing in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 11% more expensive than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,570 | $2,750 | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,291 | $1,538 | + 49% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $152 | $175 | - 13% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,048 | $1,300 | + 57% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,443 | $957 | + 51% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $118 | $157 | - 25% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $62 | $72 | - 14% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $258 | $344 | - 25% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $193 | $149 | + 29% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $9 | $15 | - 41% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $40 | $42 | - 3% | |
| Clothes | + 28% | |||
| Clothes in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 28% more expensive than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $56 | $50 | + 12% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $49 | $34 | + 45% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $92 | $96 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $122 | $90 | + 36% | |
| Transportation | + 15% | |||
| Transportation in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 15% more expensive than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $28,206 | $32,100 | - 12% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.05 | $0.93 | + 13% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $78 | $65 | + 21% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $20 | $14 | + 45% | |
| Personal Care | + 47% | |||
| Personal Care in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 47% more expensive than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $10 | $10 | - 5% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $44 | $6 | + 603% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $127 | $94 | + 36% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 | $7 | + 6% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.19 | $4.88 | - 14% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 | $7 | - 17% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.62 | $3.48 | + 4% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.76 | $1.75 | + 1% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $37 | $23 | + 60% | |
| Entertainment | + 86% | |||
| Entertainment in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 86% more expensive than in Detroit, Michigan (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | Detroit, Michigan | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $56 | $47 | + 20% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $29 | $25 | + 19% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $236 | $206 | + 14% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $95 | $75 | + 27% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $15 | $14 | + 12% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.14 | $5.53 | - 7% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 | $4.71 | + 56% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $619 | $451 | + 37% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $1.21 | $0.32 | + 284% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $50 | $39 | + 29% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $15 | $9 | + 77% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 23% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 480 prices entered by 77 different people.
These prices were last updated on December 02, 2024.
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For example, you would need at least $10,828 in Chicago, Illinois to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $8,800 in Detroit, Michigan.
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