City Cost Report
Chicago skyline
Chicago
Surrey skyline
Surrey
VS

Surrey is 15% cheaper than Chicago overall.

ChicagoSurrey
Rent (1BR City Centre)$2,937.48 CAD$2,050.00 CAD
Rent (1BR Outside Centre)$2,377.96 CAD$1,750.00 CAD
Groceries Index105108
Monthly Transit Pass$104.91 CAD$105.00 CAD
Utilities (monthly)$202.83 CAD$130.00 CAD
Gas (per litre)$1.33 CAD$1.82 CAD
Mid-range Meal$33.57 CAD$27.00 CAD
Gym Membership$69.94 CAD$55.00 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 $50,820 in Surrey to maintain the same lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

Is Chicago cheaper than Surrey?

Surrey is 15% cheaper than Chicago overall.

How much is rent in Chicago vs Surrey?

A one-bedroom in the city centre averages $2,100 USD per month in Chicago and $2,050 CAD in Surrey. Outside the centre, it is $1,700 USD in Chicago and $1,750 CAD in Surrey.

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

On average, you need about 85% of your current salary — for example, $60,000 in Chicago is roughly equivalent to $50,820 in Surrey.

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