City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/month?
Chicago vs Edinburgh — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Chicago
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 57.1 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Chicago.
Edinburgh
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Edinburgh.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Chicago | Edinburgh | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,997 | $2,441 | +$556 |
| Groceries | $703 | $830 | $127 |
| Dining Out | $444 | $636 | $192 |
| Transportation | $123 | $221 | $98 |
| Utilities | $284 | $506 | $222 |
| Other / Misc | $449 | $366 | +$83 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Chicago
$5,000
per month
Edinburgh equivalent
$3,529
per month
Only $3,529/mo in Edinburgh matches $5,000/mo in Chicago — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Chicago on $5,000/month?
Living in Chicago on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,997 to rent, $703 to groceries, $444 to dining.
Can I live in Edinburgh on $5,000/month?
In Edinburgh, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,441 rent, $830 groceries, $636 dining.
Is Chicago or Edinburgh cheaper?
Edinburgh is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Chicago 57.1 vs Edinburgh 40.3 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Chicago worth in Edinburgh?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Chicago equals ~$3,529/mo in Edinburgh using COL adjustment.