Break-down of living cost in the USA? (sales, health insurance)

[MegaB27]

Please can someone give advice on the cost of living in the USA? We are in South Africa and my husband has been offered a transfer to Chicago. Pleas could you let me know what the average living expenses and other cost of living in the US are. E.G. here in SA we have really warm weather and don't have internal heating, nor gas, parking is free, we get paid holidays and sick-leave. We also pay on average between 28-34% income tax. Most companies here offer medical cover as a benefit.

What should we expect to pay and cover when living in Chicago? what is the average expenses for a family of 3 (daughter is currently 4 months). How much tax do you have to pay? Is there national health insurance like in the UK or do we need to take out medical cover? What are the average house-hold expenses, e.g. do you pay rates and taxes, water and electricity, how much is gas / internal heating. What are the average monthly travel expenses? How much dies the average family spend on groceries?
In fact any info you provide me with would be greatly appreciated?

Many thanks,
MegaB27

[NowInWI]

I can't give you the statistics on Chicago, but you can compare living in Chicago to other major cities in the U.S. This site will give you the comparisons between cities in the U.S. Just enter your salary, then Chicago, Illinois, and then any city you want to compare it to in the U.S. You will find that the cost of living in Chicago is less than some cities, and higher than others. Cost of living: Compare prices in two cities - CNNMoney.com

[projectmaximus]

Chicago sales tax is the highest in the country. State income tax is 3% (which is the lowest in the country other than the handful that have none). Federal income tax has many variables. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rate_schedule_(federal_income_tax)

There's no national health coverage (yet...though Obama's talked about it plenty of times) but most likely your husband's company will provide a health plan for your entire family as part of his compensation.

What are the average house-hold expenses, e.g. do you pay rates and taxes, water and electricity, how much is gas / internal heating. What are the average monthly travel expenses? How much does the average family spend on groceries? Try searching for cost of living calculators and charts that will often list things like this. Of course, the expenses for all the things you named can vary greatly depending on how your family likes to live.

Also, try asking this in the Chicago forum. You'll probably get more specific help there.