<p>In terms of cost of living, sales tax is very high compared to most states in the US. That’s a shock for students from states that make money in other ways than through sales tax. In terms of entertainment, Chicago is comparable to other cities, I think, but cheaper than NYC. Gas is pricier than it is in many places, but it’s not all that off the mark, and you probably won’t have a car anyway. Student apartments around Hyde Park (where you’d live if you move to off campus housing as an upperclassmen, which most students do) are pretty cheap. </p>
<p>At least that’s my understanding.</p>