City Cost Report
Chicago skyline
Chicago
Kitchener skyline
Kitchener
VS

Kitchener is 22% cheaper than Chicago overall.

ChicagoKitchener
Rent (1BR City Centre)$2,937.48 CAD$1,750.00 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$2,377.96 CAD$1,500.00 CAD
Groceries Index105101
Monthly Transit Pass$104.91 CAD$96.00 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$202.83 CAD$145.00 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.33 CAD$1.62 CAD
Mid-range Meal$33.57 CAD$24.00 CAD
Gym Membership$69.94 CAD$50.00 CAD
Childcare (monthly)$2,238.08 CAD$1,250.00 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 Chicago...

You would need $46,839 in Kitchener to maintain the same lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chicago cheaper than Kitchener?

Kitchener is 22% cheaper than Chicago overall.

How much is rent in Chicago vs Kitchener?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $2,100 USD per month in Chicago and $1,750 CAD in Kitchener. Outside the centre, it is $1,700 USD in Chicago and $1,500 CAD in Kitchener.

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

On average, you need about 78% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in Chicago is roughly equivalent to $46,839 in Kitchener.

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