Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Andover, MA and Chicago, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in Andover, MA: $2,787 a month against $3,072 in Chicago, IL, rent and utilities included – about $3,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

125

Cost of Living Index in Andover, MA
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Andover, MA Living Index
146

Cost of Living Index in Chicago, IL
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Chicago, IL Living Index

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Andover, MA

🇺🇸 United States

$2,787

/mo nomad

Chicago, IL

🇺🇸 United States

$3,072

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Andover, MA and in Chicago, IL

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Andover, MA and in Chicago, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,787 per month in Andover, MA vs $3,072 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Andover, MA $2,787
Chicago, IL $3,072

A couple spends around $4,130 per month in Andover, MA vs $4,545 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Andover, MA $4,130
Chicago, IL $4,545

A family of three spends $5,473 per month in Andover, MA vs $6,019 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Andover, MA $5,473
Chicago, IL $6,019

Andover, MA is about 9% cheaper than Chicago, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both Andover, MA and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Andover, MA by 106%, Chicago, IL by 127%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.86 $20.86

$20.39 $20.39

2.31%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$90.8 $90.8

$88.6 $88.6

2.54%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.91 $11.91

$12.85 $12.85

-7.32%

Cappuccino

$4.35 $4.35

$5.78 $5.78

-24.74%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.74 $2.74

20.07%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.47 $1.47

$2.26 $2.26

-34.96%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.79 $6.79

$6.88 $6.88

-1.31%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$7.30 $7.30

$9.24 $9.24

-21.00%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.53 $1.53

$1.26 $1.26

21.43%

White Bread (500g)

$4.91 $4.91

$3.55 $3.55

38.31%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.16 $4.16

$5.38 $5.38

-22.68%

Eggs

$5.04 $5.04

$4.55 $4.55

10.77%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$22.79 $22.79

$13.65 $13.65

66.96%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$13.01 $13.01

$14.07 $14.07

-7.53%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.20 $17.20

$18.06 $18.06

-4.76%

Apples (1kg)

$7.15 $7.15

$5.16 $5.16

38.57%

Banana (1kg)

$2.11 $2.11

$1.98 $1.98

6.57%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.54 $4.54

$3.88 $3.88

17.01%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.40 $4.40

$4.83 $4.83

-8.90%

Potato (1kg)

$1.57 $1.57

$2.81 $2.81

-44.13%

Onion (1kg)

$2.73 $2.73

$2.67 $2.67

2.25%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.11 $1.11

$2.07 $2.07

-46.38%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.05 $3.05

$3.03 $3.03

0.66%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$13.76 $13.76

$13.90 $13.90

-1.01%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.06 $16.06

$15.05 $15.05

6.71%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 $1.76

$2.63 $2.63

-33.08%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.05 $2.05

$3.45 $3.45

-40.58%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.84 $1.84

$2.43 $2.43

-24.28%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$64.4 $64.4

$75.3 $75.3

-14.49%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.11 $5.11

$3.17 $3.17

61.20%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.30 $2.30

$1.70 $1.70

35.29%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$48.65 $48.65

$24.90 $24.90

95.38%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.15 $1.15

$1.28 $1.28

-10.16%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$28.2K $28.2K

$35.8K $35.8K

-21.11%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.2K $26.2K

$26.8K $26.8K

-2.17%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$190 $190

$192 $192

-0.93%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$54.1 $54.1

$69.6 $69.6

-22.24%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$53.6 $53.6

$62.2 $62.2

-13.76%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.72 $41.72

$47.79 $47.79

-12.70%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.10 $27.10

Cinema Ticket

$13.20 $13.20

$17.83 $17.83

-25.97%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$818 $818

$1,815 $1,815

-54.91%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$35.1K $35.1K

$40.6K $40.6K

-13.50%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$58.8 $58.8

$66.2 $66.2

-11.14%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.10 $38.10

$51.4 $51.4

-25.86%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$53.0 $53.0

$103 $103

-48.75%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$79.6 $79.6

$143 $143

-44.19%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,586 $1,586

$2,531 $2,531

-37.33%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,436 $1,436

$1,621 $1,621

-11.42%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,547 $2,547

$4,828 $4,828

-47.25%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,384 $2,384

$2,734 $2,734

-12.80%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,989 $2,989

$4,163 $4,163

-28.20%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,534 $2,534

$2,723 $2,723

-6.94%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,661 $5,661

$4,924 $4,924

14.97%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.59

6.78

-2.80%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Andover, MA: November 1, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: November 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Andover, MA

$1.4K 51.5%

Chicago, IL

$1.6K 52.8% 12.9% $185

Groceries & Markets

Andover, MA

$471 16.9%

Chicago, IL

$439 14.3% 6.7% $32

Eating Out

Andover, MA

$322 11.6%

Chicago, IL

$344 11.2% 6.7% $22

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Andover, MA

$298 10.7%

Chicago, IL

$324 10.5% 8.7% $26

Clothing & Footwear

Andover, MA

$103 3.7%

Chicago, IL

$164 5.3% 58.4% $60

Getting Around

Andover, MA

$88 3.2%

Chicago, IL

$97 3.2% 9.5% $8.3

Sport & Entertainment

Andover, MA

$68 2.4%

Chicago, IL

$83 2.7% 22.5% $15

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,586 in Andover, MA versus $2,531 in Chicago, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 15% higher in Andover, MA, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $91 in Andover, MA versus $89 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $471 vs $439 – making Chicago, IL the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇺🇸 Andover, MA

🇺🇸 Chicago, IL

🕒 Local time

10:31 10:31 AM

09:31 9:31 AM

1 h behind Andover, MA

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

33,475

2,746,388

💱 Currency

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

1 USD = 0.893 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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Highest

Between locations

Andover, MA Chicago, IL 1,360 km ≈ 2 h 15 min nonstop flight

From you

Andover, MA
Chicago, IL

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

Andover, MA vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Chicago, IL is pricier by about 10%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in clothing.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,180 per month in Andover, MA and $4,608 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Andover, MA, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,586 there versus $2,531 in Chicago, IL.

Public transport costs about 14% less in Andover, MA. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

Interestingly, groceries are about 7% cheaper in Chicago, IL – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,787 in Andover, MA and $3,072 in Chicago, IL. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

Families tend to lean toward Andover, MA – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.