Cost of Living Comparison Between Bel Air, MD and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Bel Air, MD and Chicago, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,676 per month in Bel Air, MD vs $3,009 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,895 per month in Bel Air, MD vs $4,593 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $5,114 per month in Bel Air, MD vs $6,177 in Chicago, IL, rent included.

Bel Air, MD is about 11% cheaper than Chicago, IL, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Bel Air, MD and Chicago, IL sit above the global median – Bel Air, MD by 100%, Chicago, IL by 125%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$16.24 $16.24

$20.35 $20.35

-20.20%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$67.7 $67.7

$102 $102

-33.43%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.97 $9.97

$11.98 $11.98

-16.78%

Cappuccino

$5.40 $5.40

$5.70 $5.70

-5.26%

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

$1.80 $1.80

$3.00 $3.00

-40.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.78 $1.78

$2.46 $2.46

-27.64%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.54 $6.54

$6.87 $6.87

-4.80%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.41 $6.41

$8.09 $8.09

-20.77%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.03 $1.03

1.94%

White Bread (500g)

$3.50 $3.50

$3.95 $3.95

-11.39%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.47 $4.47

$5.42 $5.42

-17.53%

Eggs

$4.11 $4.11

$4.50 $4.50

-8.67%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.49 $12.49

$14.53 $14.53

-14.04%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.32 $11.32

$14.89 $14.89

-23.98%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.46 $15.46

$18.98 $18.98

-18.55%

Apples (1kg)

$5.00 $5.00

$5.39 $5.39

-7.24%

Banana (1kg)

$1.62 $1.62

$1.77 $1.77

-8.47%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.27 $4.27

$4.35 $4.35

-1.84%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.64 $4.64

$4.53 $4.53

2.43%

Potato (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

$2.53 $2.53

11.07%

Onion (1kg)

$2.81 $2.81

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.01 $2.01

$2.51 $2.51

-19.92%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.11 $2.11

$2.67 $2.67

-20.97%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.86 $9.86

$14.88 $14.88

-33.74%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.75 $14.75

$15.22 $15.22

-3.09%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.77 $1.77

$2.46 $2.46

-28.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.31 $3.31

$3.53 $3.53

-6.23%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.05 $2.05

$2.56 $2.56

-19.92%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$102 $102

$74.3 $74.3

36.84%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.55 $3.55

$3.19 $3.19

11.29%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.60 $1.60

$1.41 $1.41

13.48%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$29.41 $29.41

$25.49 $25.49

15.38%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.83 $0.83

$1.04 $1.04

-20.19%

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

$29.5K $29.5K

$32.2K $32.2K

-8.33%

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

$25.1K $25.1K

$26.8K $26.8K

-6.08%

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

$190 $190

$184 $184

3.28%

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

$53.6 $53.6

$63.1 $63.1

-15.12%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$68.4 $68.4

$66.4 $66.4

2.98%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.71 $43.71

$75.9 $75.9

-42.42%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.06 $13.06

Cinema Ticket

$13.25 $13.25

$15.25 $15.25

-13.11%

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

$1,307 $1,307

$2,090 $2,090

-37.48%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$23.4K $23.4K

$39.2K $39.2K

-40.32%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$51.8 $51.8

$64.2 $64.2

-19.30%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.71 $40.71

$51.0 $51.0

-20.18%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$87.5 $87.5

$97.2 $97.2

-10.00%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$110 $110

$149 $149

-25.87%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,610 $1,610

$2,341 $2,341

-31.20%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,355 $1,355

$1,572 $1,572

-13.84%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,675 $2,675

$4,741 $4,741

-43.59%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,237 $2,237

$2,819 $2,819

-20.64%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,422 $2,422

$3,900 $3,900

-37.89%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,650 $2,650

$2,638 $2,638

0.45%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,089 $5,089

$4,769 $4,769

6.72%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.51

6.6

-1.36%

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

Last update for Bel Air, MD: April 25, 2026

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,610 in Bel Air, MD versus $2,341 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 7% higher in Bel Air, MD, 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 $68.0 in Bel Air, MD versus $102 in Chicago, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $388 vs $447 – making Bel Air, MD the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

Bel Air, MD vs Chicago, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $2,676 in Bel Air, MD, $3,009 in Chicago, IL – roughly 12% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,014 per month in Bel Air, MD and $4,513 in Chicago, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Bel Air, MD, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,676 in Bel Air, MD and $3,009 in Chicago, IL. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Public transport costs about 37% less in Bel Air, MD. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,676 in Bel Air, MD and $3,009 in Chicago, IL. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $2,676 in Bel Air, MD to $3,009 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Bel Air, MD. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.