Midwest · Illinois
Average costs, local spending context and practical budgeting tips for Chicago households.
General guidance only. Figures are approximate averages — not advice. Always budget from your own real income and costs.
Avg 1-bed monthly rent
$1,900
Chicago approximate market average
Monthly groceries (single person)
$440
Approximate monthly estimate
Monthly transport
$110
Transit pass or car estimate
Mid-range monthly budget
$3,600
Single person · all-in estimate
CTA transit card is affordable. Property taxes are among the highest in the Midwest.
Tight budget
Minimal discretionary spend, shared housing or subsidized rent
$2,200/mo
Comfortable budget
Private 1-bed rental, regular groceries, some dining out
$3,600/mo
Higher spend
Premium rental, car ownership, active social spending
$6,000/mo
Estimates based on Numbeo, MIT Living Wage Calculator and BLS CES data. Individual circumstances vary significantly.
$21.40/hr
Estimated living wage for a single adult in Chicago, IL — the hourly rate needed to cover basic costs without public assistance. Source: MIT Living Wage Calculator (approximate). General context only.
MIT Living Wage Calculator ↗Chicago sits within Illinois, and the state guide covers costs, taxes and spending pressures that apply beyond the city limits.
City averages only tell you the shape of the landscape. These free guides and tools work from your own numbers, wherever in the US you live.
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