City Cost Report
Chicago skyline
Chicago
Richmond skyline
Richmond
VS

Richmond is 12% cheaper than Chicago overall.

ChicagoRichmond
Rent (1BR City Centre)$2,937.48 CAD$2,250.00 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$2,377.96 CAD$1,900.00 CAD
Groceries Index105109
Monthly Transit Pass$104.91 CAD$105.00 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$202.83 CAD$130.00 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.33 CAD$1.84 CAD
Mid-range Meal$33.57 CAD$28.00 CAD
Gym Membership$69.94 CAD$60.00 CAD
Childcare (monthly)$2,238.08 CAD$1,350.00 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 $52,831 in Richmond to maintain the same lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chicago cheaper than Richmond?

Richmond is 12% cheaper than Chicago overall.

How much is rent in Chicago vs Richmond?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $2,100 USD per month in Chicago and $2,250 CAD in Richmond. Outside the centre, it is $1,700 USD in Chicago and $1,900 CAD in Richmond.

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

On average, you need about 88% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in Chicago is roughly equivalent to $52,831 in Richmond.

Related comparisons