Chicago, Illinois
In Chicago, Illinois, a gallon of regular gas costs $4.25 as of 2026-04-01 — $0.19 above the national average of $4.06. The average monthly rent for all unit types is $2,132, compared to the national average of $1,900. Grocery inflation is running at 5.27% year-over-year. Since 2022, bread prices have increased significantly while egg prices have been volatile due to avian flu outbreaks. Chicago's cost-of-living index of 110 puts it above the national average of 100.
Key Numbers
Gas (Regular)
$4.25
National: $4.06
Avg Rent (All)
$2,132
National: $1,900
Grocery Inflation
5.27%
Year-over-year
Fast Food Avg
$13.50
Combo meal
Electricity
16.36¢
per kWh · ~$147/mo
Car Insurance
$165/mo
$1,980/yr
Median Household Income
$81,797
39.7% goes to essentials
Car Insurance
Avg $1,980 in Chicago. Compare rates:
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Some prices above are regional estimates. Submit a receipt from a local store to help us show what Chicago residents actually pay.
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Avg rent $2,132/mo in Chicago. Browse listings:
Grocery Prices
Grocery Prices — 2000 to Present
National BLS averages · submit local prices below ↓
Eggs (dozen)
Bird flu volatility
$2.58 BLS avg
$4.99 @ Marianos - Marianos Lakeshore East (MARIANOS)
Milk (gallon)
$4.10 BLS avg
$6.49 @ Marianos - Marianos Lakeshore East (MARIANOS)
Ground Beef (lb)
$6.75 BLS avg
Bread (loaf)
$1.84 BLS avg
Chicken Breast (lb)
$2.04 BLS avg
Butter (lb)
$6.06 BLS avg
Bacon (lb)
$8.94 BLS avg
Cheddar Cheese (lb)
$7.60 BLS avg
Pasta (lb)
$2.18 BLS avg
Rice (5 lb)
$5.82 BLS avg
Coffee (12 oz)
$12.98 BLS avg
Orange Juice (64 oz)
Citrus shortage
$6.11 BLS avg
Potatoes (5 lb)
$5.20 BLS avg
Apples (3 lb)
$5.86 BLS avg
Tomatoes (lb)
$3.17 BLS avg
Lettuce (head)
$2.40 BLS avg
Cooking Oil (48 oz)
$8.26 BLS avg
Yogurt (32 oz)
$5.45 BLS avg
Cereal (family size)
$6.77 BLS avg
Frozen Pizza
$10.05 BLS avg
| Item | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2020 | 2022 | 2026 | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggs (dozen)Bird flu volatility$4.99 @ Marianos - Marianos Lakeshore East (MARIANOS) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.93 | $2.58 | +156.4% |
| Milk (gallon)$6.49 @ Marianos - Marianos Lakeshore East (MARIANOS) | — | — | — | — | — | $3.79 | $4.10 | +44.6% |
| Ground Beef (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.55 | $6.75 | +354.4% |
| Bread (loaf) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.55 | $1.84 | +104.0% |
| Chicken Breast (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.62 | $2.04 | +93.5% |
| Butter (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.67 | $6.06 | +29.8% |
| Bacon (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $7.30 | $8.94 | +22.5% |
| Cheddar Cheese (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $6.45 | $7.60 | +17.8% |
| Pasta (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.59 | $2.18 | +37.1% |
| Rice (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.54 | $5.82 | +28.2% |
| Coffee (12 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $9.27 | $12.98 | +40.0% |
| Orange Juice (64 oz)Citrus shortage | — | — | — | — | — | $4.27 | $6.11 | +43.1% |
| Potatoes (5 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.45 | $5.20 | +16.9% |
| Apples (3 lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.96 | $5.86 | +18.1% |
| Tomatoes (lb) | — | — | — | — | — | $2.40 | $3.17 | +32.1% |
| Lettuce (head) | — | — | — | — | — | $1.94 | $2.40 | +23.7% |
| Cooking Oil (48 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $5.82 | $8.26 | +41.9% |
| Yogurt (32 oz) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.40 | $5.45 | +23.9% |
| Cereal (family size) | — | — | — | — | — | $4.98 | $6.77 | +35.9% |
| Frozen Pizza | — | — | — | — | — | $6.90 | $10.05 | +45.7% |
Dining & Restaurants
Fast Food Meal
$13.50
Casual Dining
$26.50
Monthly Spend
$454.48
+4.58% YoYChain Restaurant Meal Prices — 2022 vs. Today
Combo meal / typical order for one
McDonald's
2022: $9.86
$15.90
+61.3%Wendy's
2022: $11.13
$17.17
+54.3%Chipotle
2022: $11.93
$17.81
+49.3%Starbucks
2022: $5.34
$7.42
+39.0%Eating out more? Save on groceries with Ibotta and cook at home more often.
Looking for an Apartment in Chicago?
Average 1BR: $1,748/mo · 2BR: $2,516/mo
Local Workforce
2024 · BLS QCEWTotal Jobs
2566k
Median Weekly Pay
$1,672
$87k/yr
Top Sector
Education & Health Services
Household vs Worker Pay
$82k
household median
Employment by Sector — Chicago
% of local workforce · avg weekly wage · 5-year growth trend
~$67k/yr
~$69k/yr
~$113k/yr
~$40k/yr
~$175k/yr
Source: BLS QCEW 2024 Annual · County FIPS 17031
Highest Paying Sector
Financial Activities
$3,361/wk · $175k/yr
Most Workers (lowest wage)
Leisure & Hospitality
$774/wk · $40k/yr
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