City Cost Report
Burnaby skyline
Burnaby
Chicago skyline
Chicago
VS

Burnaby is 16% cheaper than Chicago overall.

BurnabyChicago
Rent (1BR City Centre)$2,300.00 CAD$2,937.48 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$1,950.00 CAD$2,377.96 CAD
Groceries Index109105
Monthly Transit Pass$105.00 CAD$104.91 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$130.00 CAD$202.83 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.84 CAD$1.33 CAD
Mid-range Meal$28.00 CAD$33.57 CAD
Gym Membership$60.00 CAD$69.94 CAD
Childcare (monthly)$1,350.00 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 Burnaby...

You would need $71,760 in Chicago to maintain the same lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Is Burnaby cheaper than Chicago?

Burnaby is 16% cheaper than Chicago overall.

How much is rent in Burnaby vs Chicago?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $2,300 CAD per month in Burnaby and $2,100 USD in Chicago. Outside the centre, it is $1,950 CAD in Burnaby and $1,700 USD in Chicago.

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

On average, you need about 120% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in Burnaby is roughly equivalent to $71,760 in Chicago.

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