Is $75,000 Enough To Live Comfortably In Chicago

What Life Looks Like In Chicago With A $75,000 Budget

Chicago is a big, exciting city full of life, great food, and amazing sights. But with all its perks, one big question remains: Can you actually afford to live there on a $75,000 salary?

If you are planning to move to Windy City or live there and question whether your paycheck is enough, this guide will break everything down for you. From rent to groceries, transportation to fun activities, let's see if $75,000 is truly enough to live comfortably in Chicago!

How Much Are The Groceries, Utilities, And Daily Expenses?

While it isn’t as costly as New York City or San Francisco, Chicago isn’t exactly a budget-friendly city either.

• Groceries: If you cook at your home, then you may have to spend from $300 to $500 on food in a month.

• Utilities: Electricity, Heating, And Internet: It should cost you anywhere between $150 and $250 per month.

• Phone Bill: A normal phone bill costs between $50 and $100 a month.

• Cleaning Services: As for deep cleaning, if you ever require a Deep Cleaning Chicago for your apartment, it will be useful to set $150–$300 per cleaning session.

When you sum all of this up, your basic monthly expenses excluding rent could be between $800 and $1,200. Still, that will free some of your budget for other things, but you will have to watch for spending more than necessary.

Can You Still Save And Have An Emergency Fund?

Living in Chicago on a $75,000 salary is possible, but it depends on how you manage your money. After rent, utilities, food, and transportation, you should still have some money left over. Ideally, you should:

• Save at least 10-20% of your income, that is, $500 to $1,000 per month.

• Build an emergency fund to cover at least 3 to 6 months of expenses.

• Contribute to a retirement fund (such as a 401(k) or IRA).

If you’re smart with your spending, you can live comfortably while still saving for the future.