City Cost Report
Barrie skyline
Barrie
Chicago skyline
Chicago
VS

Barrie is 23% cheaper than Chicago overall.

BarrieChicago
Rent (1BR City Centre)$1,850.00 CAD$2,937.48 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$1,600.00 CAD$2,377.96 CAD
Groceries Index102105
Monthly Transit Pass$110.00 CAD$104.91 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$150.00 CAD$202.83 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.63 CAD$1.33 CAD
Mid-range Meal$24.00 CAD$33.57 CAD
Gym Membership$55.00 CAD$69.94 CAD
Childcare (monthly)$1,300.00 CAD$2,238.08 CAD

Each city is shown in your selected currency (toggle CAD/USD in the header); cheaper values are highlighted after converting to a common currency. Updated June 2026.

Salary Equivalence Calculator

If you earn $in Barrie...

You would need $77,444 in Chicago to maintain the same lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Is Barrie cheaper than Chicago?

Barrie is 23% cheaper than Chicago overall.

How much is rent in Barrie vs Chicago?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $1,850 CAD per month in Barrie and $2,100 USD in Chicago. Outside the centre, it is $1,600 CAD in Barrie and $1,700 USD in Chicago.

What salary do I need to move from Barrie to Chicago?

On average, you need about 129% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in Barrie is roughly equivalent to $77,444 in Chicago.

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