🇺🇸 Chicago vs 🇲🇽 Guadalajara

Cost of living comparison · 2026

🇺🇸

Chicago

United States

$2,400–$3,800/mo

$2,400 – $3,800 / month (local)

🇲🇽

Guadalajara

Mexico

$1,108–$1,754/mo

$19,103 – $30,241 / month (local)

Chicago is 117% more expensive

Guadalajara wins on affordability

Cost breakdown

CategoryChicago (USD)Guadalajara (USD)Winner
Rent (1-bed, city center)$1,800–$2,800$831–$1,292🟢 Guadalajara
Rent (1-bed, outside center)$950–$1,500$438–$692🟢 Guadalajara
Utilities$75–$145$35–$67🟢 Guadalajara
Groceries$380–$570$175–$263🟢 Guadalajara
Eating out (mid-range meal)$50–$90$23–$42🟢 Guadalajara
Public transport (monthly)$95–$115$44–$53🟢 Guadalajara
Internet & Mobile$30–$50$14–$23🟢 Guadalajara
Gym membership$35–$65$16–$30🟢 Guadalajara
Cinema ticket$14–$18$6–$8🟢 Guadalajara
Monthly total (single)$2,400–$3,800$1,108–$1,754🟢 Guadalajara

See how your salary compares in both cities

Enter monthly take-home in USD. We compare to our estimated budget range for your household (not financial advice).

Quality of life comparison

Housing5.3 / 10 · 7.5 / 10
Chicago
Guadalajara▲ better
Safety9.3 / 10 · 8.7 / 10
Chicago▲ better
Guadalajara
Healthcare9.3 / 10 · 8.7 / 10
Chicago▲ better
Guadalajara
Education8.9 / 10 · 8.3 / 10
Chicago▲ better
Guadalajara
Environment8.0 / 10 · 9.1 / 10
Chicago
Guadalajara▲ better
Economy8.0 / 10 · 7.4 / 10
Chicago▲ better
Guadalajara
Culture8.6 / 10 · 8.0 / 10
Chicago▲ better
Guadalajara
Internet9.0 / 10 · 8.4 / 10
Chicago▲ better
Guadalajara

Who should choose which city?

Choose Chicago if…

  • You're happy to pay more for what Chicago offers vs Guadalajara
  • Architecture
  • Food
  • Transit
  • Finance

Choose Guadalajara if…

  • You want lower typical monthly costs than Chicago
  • Tech hub Mexico
  • Tequila region
  • Culture
  • Software

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Full Chicago guide

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Full Guadalajara guide

See all costs, neighborhoods and quality of life scores

Explore Guadalajara