Cost of living | Chicago vs. L.A. and New York

AVERAGE HOME PRICE, PER SQUARE FOOT, IN TRENDY ’HOOD
Wicker Park: $280
Williamsburg, Brooklyn: $339
Silver Lake, L.A.: $349

AVERAGE CAB FARE PER MILE
Chicago: $1.80
NYC: $2
L.A.: $2.70

16-OUNCE LOCAL CRAFT BEER DRAFT
Iron Fist Pale Ale at Revolution Brewing, Chicago: $5
Sixpoint Righteous Rye at d.b.a. Brooklyn: $7
Poppyfield Pale Ale at the York, L.A.: $6

AVERAGE RENT FOR 1,000-SQUARE-FOOT APARTMENT IN TRENDY ’HOOD
Wicker Park: $1,400
Williamsburg, Brooklyn: $2,100
Silver Lake, L.A.: $2,200

AVERAGE NON-3D MOVIE TICKET
Chicago: $11
NYC: $12.50
L.A.: $12

AVERAGE ONE GALLON UNLEADED GAS*
Chicago: $3.26
NYC: $3.16
L.A.: $3.33
*Figures from week ending Jan 3

BIG-BUDGET THEATER TICKET
Wicked at Cadillac Palace Theatre, Chicago: $35–$105
Wicked at Broadway’s Gershwin Theater, NYC: $51.25–$131.25
Wicked at California’s Orange County Performing Arts Center: $38.75–$163.75

ADULT ART MUSEUM ADMISSION (FOR RESIDENTS)
Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago: $12
Museum of Modern Art, NYC: $20
Museum of Contemporary Art, L.A.: $10

SALES TAX
Chicago: 9.75%
NYC: 8.875%
L.A.: 9.75%