Is Chicago Living Expensive?
How Expensive Is It To Live In Chicago?
What You Need To Know About Chicago’s Cost Of Living
Chicago is a great city with many exciting features, great food, especially pizza, and some beautiful attractions. However, if you are contemplating a move to Chicago, you are probably asking yourself one question: Is living in Chicago costly? It’s really hard to say; it depends on a number of factors, such as the country you live in, your general lifestyle, and how you manage your finances.
It is a costly city for some people, yet relatively cheap when compared to other big cities such as New York or Los Angeles. Let’s compare the cost of living in Chicago and let us find out if it is affordable to you or not!
What Are The Housing Costs In Chicago
Regardless of where they live, housing costs are among the biggest expenses that people must pay for. The cost of buying a home and renting a place in Chicago varies by neighborhood.
If you wish to live downtown, then be prepared to open your wallet a little more. A one-bedroom apartment in the downtown area may go for as much as $2,000 or even more in a month.
If you go to the outskirts of the suburban areas, you can be able to get a one-bedroom for $1,200 to $1,500.
Buying a home? A house in Chicago is thought to cost around $300,000, though this varies by neighborhood.
In comparison with New York or San Francisco, Chicago’s rent is pretty cheap; however, it is still higher than in most other American cities.
What It Costs To Eat In Chicago
For the food lover, Chicago is a city that you must visit. It has good food, especially pizza, hot dogs, and a lot of eating places as well. However, before you begin to plan your next meal, you may be asking yourself one question: How much does it really cost to eat in Chicago?
Inexpensive Restaurants: Average costs for a meal for one person are between $15 and $20.
Mid-Range Dining: An average three-course dinner for two people costs between $60 and $80 at most of the mid-priced restaurants.
Fast Food Options: A full meal in popular fast foods such as McDonald's is usually sold at $10.
If you prefer cooking at home, groceries in Chicago are moderately priced. Want to save money on food? It is possible to save a lot of money while shopping for food and even when preparing meals!
Should You Invest In A Car Or Depend On Public Transportation?
Chicago is a city that has fairly good public transport and if you are planning to use public transport then you are not going to be spending a lot of money on transport.
One-way CTA Fare: $2.50 for buses and trains.
Unlimited Monthly CTA Pass: Around $75.
Gas Prices: Higher than the national average, averaging $4 per gallon.
Parking Downtown: Frightening $20 to $50 per day!
If you are close to public transportation, you can actually not own a car and save on gas, parking, and insurance alone.
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How Much Are The Utilities And Bills?
Besides rent, there is the issue of utility bills, which are also a form of expense. Here’s an estimate of what you might spend each month:
Electricity And Heating: From $150 to $200 especially high during the winter because of the heater.
Internet Service: This costs between $60 and $80 depending on the speed and the service provider.
Water And Garbage: Bills paid for by tenants of apartments are usually included in rent.
Chicago winters are extremely harsh so you will spend a lot of money on heating from November to March.
How Much Does Entertainment Cost?
Chicago is a city with something to do at any time of the day or night, whether it’s sports, music, art, or festivals. But how much does a fun night out really cost then?
Movie Tickets: Around $13 to $15 per ticket.
Sporting Events: If you want to watch the Chicago Bears or Bulls, then be prepared to spend anywhere from $50 to $150 and above for a ticket.
Museums And Attractions: Other attractions charge $25 to $40 for a single entry.
Are you in need of activities that you can do for free? Chicago has plenty! You can:
Explore Millennium Park.
Walk along Navy Pier.
Go to the Lincoln Park Zoo and see animals for free.
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How Much Are You Going To Have To Pay For Medical Costs?
Another factor that is an added expense when in Chicago is healthcare. Here’s what you should budget for:
Doctor’s Visit: Without insurance, you can prepare to be charged between $100 and $200 for each session.
Dental Checkup: The average cost of a checkup will be between $100 and $150.
Health Insurance: If you are purchasing your plan on your own, you will be expected to pay anywhere between $300 and $600 per month for your plan.
The good news? There are good hospitals and clinics in Chicago so you won’t have a problem finding a good hospital if you get sick.
Cleaning Your Home Is Not Cheap
If you are a Chicago resident, then you will know that keeping your home clean is extremely difficult, especially after the winter season. Some of the residents have to contract the services of cleaning companies in order to help them clean their houses.
The basic cleaning services range from $100 to $300 depending on the area of your house and its condition. In case you need a deeper cleaning for your home, Deep Cleaning Chicago will come in handy in cleaning up the most complex parts of the house, especially after the winter season.
How Expensive Is Chicago?
Chicago is not an expensive city to live in as compared to other large cities within the United States. However, Chicago is not one of the cheapest, but it is cheaper than other coastal cities such as New York City or San Francisco. However, it is more costly than Dallas, Atlanta, and Indianapolis. Remember, it is also important to budget your money to avoid having expenses that are unplanned.
Tips On How You Can Live In Chicago Without Spending So Much Money
If you want to enjoy Chicago without draining your wallet, try these smart money-saving tips:
Live In An Affordable Neighborhood: Neighborhoods such as Pilsen, Albany Park, or Rogers Park are cheap in rent.
Ditch The Car: The general use of public transport is relatively cheaper than the use of a car.
Cook At Home: Eating out is expensive—especially when it comes to meals and groceries are much cheaper.
Enjoy Free Activities: Chicago has plenty of free parks, fests, and things to do.
Find Deals On Utilities: Compare prices for cheap internet and energy services.
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Is Chicago Worth The Cost?
What it is depends on your daily routine and how much you spend. If you are living in one of the priciest neighborhoods, eat out frequently, and own a car, you will find Chicago to be expensive. But if you budget wisely, use public transit, and find ways to have fun without spending money, it is possible to make ends meet.
Chicago is a city with excellent food, culture, and entertainment, meaning it is a fine city to live in, provided you exercise financial discipline!
