🍜
$22
Business Lunch (incl. drink)
☕
$7.00
Cappuccino
🚌
$99
Monthly Transport Pass
🏠
$1,547
Studio 45m² (normal area)
How much does it cost to live in the United States alone?
To live in Chicago on a moderate budget, you'll need around $2,500/month. That covers renting a studio in a normal area ($1,547), weekday lunches out ($440), weekend casual meals ($104), a daily coffee, tea, or other cheap drinks ($210), a monthly transit pass ($99), and a few taxi rides ($100). No gym, no dining out every night — just everyday life.
How much does it cost to live in the United States for two?
2 persons
$4,361
≈ €3,819
If there are two of you, plan on around $4,361 ≈ €3,819/month — a proper apartment ($2,455), meals and daily drinks for both, two transit passes, and more taxi rides.
What does it cost to raise a family in the United States?
With a child, the total comes to around $4,708 ≈ €4,124/month. Kids eat less, rarely pay for transit, but you'll need more taxi rides and little extras add up fast. School fees not included.
Item
USD $
🍽️
Business Lunch (incl. drink)
$22
🍔
Fast Food Combo Meal
$13
🍗
Chicken Breast (500g)
$6.00
🥛
Milk (1L)
$0.88
🥚
Eggs (12)
$5.59
🍅
Tomatoes (1kg)
$4.72
🧀
Local Cheese (500g)
$6.00
🍎
Apples (1kg)
$3.56
🥔
Potatoes (1kg)
$2.09
🍺
Beer 0.5L (supermarket)
$3.52
🍷
Wine Bottle (red, table)
$20
🥤
Coca-Cola (2L)
$3.74
🍞
Bread (2 people, 1 day)
$2.55
Item
USD $
🏢
Rent 85m² (expensive area)
$3,296
🏠
Rent 85m² (normal area)
$2,455
💡
Utilities 85m² (2 persons)
$238
🏢
Studio 45m² (expensive)
$2,092
🏠
Studio 45m² (normal area)
$1,547
💡
Utilities 45m² (1 person)
$280
📶
Internet (monthly)
$64
📺
TV 40" Flat Screen
$269
🔲
Microwave (800/900W)
$140
🧴
Laundry Detergent (3L)
$15
🧹
Cleaning Help (per hour)
$38
Item
USD $
👖
Jeans (Levis 501)
$53
👗
Summer Dress (Zara, H&M)
$48
👟
Sport Shoes (Nike, Adidas)
$99
👞
Leather Business Shoes
$126
Item
USD $
🚗
VW Golf (new)
$31,646
⛽
Gasoline (1L)
$0.94
🎫
Monthly Transport Pass
$99
🚕
Taxi Trip (8km)
$25
Item
USD $
💊
Cold Medicine (6 days)
$10
💉
Antibiotics (12 doses)
$46
🏥
Doctor Visit (15 min)
$197
Item
USD $
🧻
Tampons (32 pcs)
$9.00
🧴
Deodorant (50ml)
$5.05
🧴
Shampoo (400ml)
$7.00
🧻
Toilet Paper (4 rolls)
$4.20
🪥
Toothpaste
$2.23
💇
Men's Haircut
$41
Item
USD $
🍺
Dinner for 2 (pub)
$64
🎬
Cinema (2 tickets)
$33
🎭
Theater (2 tickets, best)
$313
🍝
Italian Dinner for 2 (full)
$109
🍸
Cocktail (downtown)
$17
☕
Cappuccino
$7.00
🍺
Beer in Pub (500ml)
$9.00
📱
iPad Wi-Fi 128GB
$504
📱
Mobile (1 min, prepaid)
$1.27
🏋️
Gym Membership (monthly)
$129
🚬
Marlboro Cigarettes
$16
Washington D.C.
~$3,055 (current)
Atlanta
~$2,397
Austin
~$2,275
Boston
~$3,400
Chicago
~$2,500 (current)
Dallas
~$2,104
Denver
~$2,852
Detroit
~$1,700
Honolulu
~$3,066
Houston
~$2,043
Las Vegas
~$1,993
Los Angeles
~$3,111
Miami
~$3,325
Minneapolis
~$2,015
Nashville
~$2,320
New Orleans
~$1,890
New York
~$3,970
Orlando
~$2,249
Philadelphia
~$2,294
Phoenix
~$2,304
Portland
~$2,327
San Diego
~$3,341
San Francisco
~$3,931
Savannah
~$1,843
Seattle
~$2,795