Cost of living in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 47% cheaper than in New York City (United States)
We need your help!
Expatistan is a collaborative effort. The data gets better with every new price that you enter.
Do you know the prices in New York City or in Chicago, Illinois? You can help!
Improve the prices for New York City! Improve the prices for Chicago, Illinois!
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,022 prices entered by 195 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
(click to expand each category)
Currency:
| Food | - 35% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 35% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | New York City | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $21 | $26 | - 21% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $11 | $16 | - 28% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $6 | $10 | - 42% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.86 | $1.24 | - 31% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $3.97 | $10 | - 61% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $3.64 | $6 | - 44% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $5.76 | $8 | - 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.88 | $5.39 | - 28% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.69 | $2.11 | - 20% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.36 | $5.19 | - 35% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $12 | $27 | - 55% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.87 | $3.33 | - 14% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.12 | $4.13 | - 24% | |
| Housing | - 55% | |||
| Housing in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 55% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | New York City | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,570 | $7,225 | - 64% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,291 | $4,983 | - 54% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $158 | $242 | - 34% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $2,048 | $5,127 | - 60% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,443 | $3,876 | - 63% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $118 | $215 | - 45% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $61 | $88 | - 30% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $258 | $611 | - 58% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $193 | $145 | + 33% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $9 | $18 | - 53% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $40 | $35 | + 16% | |
| Clothes | - 40% | |||
| Clothes in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 40% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | New York City | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $52 | $96 | - 46% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $49 | $77 | - 36% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $92 | $149 | - 39% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $122 | $247 | - 51% | |
| Transportation | - 53% | |||
| Transportation in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 53% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | New York City | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $28,206 | $61,673 | - 54% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.05 | $1.17 | - 10% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $75 | $177 | - 57% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $20 | $27 | - 26% | |
| Personal Care | - 32% | |||
| Personal Care in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 32% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | New York City | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $10 | $14 | - 32% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $44 | $32 | + 38% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $127 | $233 | - 45% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 | $12 | - 39% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.19 | $9 | - 52% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $6 | $13 | - 52% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.62 | $8 | - 54% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.76 | $2.61 | - 33% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $37 | $37 | + 1% | |
| Entertainment | - 33% | |||
| Entertainment in Chicago, Illinois (United States) is 33% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Chicago, Illinois | New York City | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $56 | $101 | - 44% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $29 | $40 | - 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $236 | $536 | - 56% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $95 | $201 | - 53% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $16 | $29 | - 47% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.14 | $11 | - 52% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 | $16 | - 53% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $619 | $710 | - 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $1.21 | $1.04 | + 17% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $50 | $242 | - 79% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $15 | $21 | - 27% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 47% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,022 prices entered by 195 different people.
These prices were last updated on December 11, 2024.
Detailed prices for each city individually
Recent Comparisons
- Cost of living in London is 25% cheaper than in New York City
- Cost of living in Madrid is 6% cheaper than in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in London is 123% more expensive than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 47% more expensive than in São Paulo
- Cost of living in Madrid is 36% cheaper than in Paris
- Cost of living in Makhachkala is 66% cheaper than in Madrid
- Cost of living in Montevideo is about the same as in Buenos Aires
- Cost of living in Mexico City is 7% more expensive than in São Paulo
- Cost of living in Buenos Aires is 36% more expensive than in Mexico City
- Cost of living in Florianopolis is 35% cheaper than in Buenos Aires
Compare other countries
For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require $22,000 in New York City you would need to make just about $11,770 in Chicago, Illinois.
Do you live in New York City? We need your help!
Cost of Living and Prices in Similar Cities
- Cost of Living, Prices in Mexico City (Mexico)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Montreal (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Bogotá (Colombia)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Minneapolis - St. Paul, Minnesota (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Houston, Texas (United States)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Toronto (Canada)
- Cost of Living, Prices in Lima (Peru)
Prices recently added
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Madrid costs €18 (about 7 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Santiago de Cali costs COL$40,000 (about 8 hours ago)
- 1 liter of gasoline in Thunder Bay, Ontario costs C$5.00 (about 9 hours ago)
- Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district in Tucson, Arizona costs $16 (about 9 hours ago)
- Ipad wi-fi 128gb in Newark, New Jersey costs $299 (about 10 hours ago)
- 2 tickets to the movies in Marbella costs €18 (about 10 hours ago)