Cost of Living Comparison Between Bristol, VA and Chicago, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Bristol, VA and Chicago, IL

🙂 Solo nomad: Bristol, VA is 7.2% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 30.1% cheaper with rent.
🙂 Family of 3: Bristol, VA is 16.6% cheaper than Chicago, IL without rent, and 35.8% cheaper with rent.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bristol, VA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.34 $18.34
$20.82 $20.82
-11.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$75.2 $75.2
$100 $100
-25.05%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.08 $10.08
$11.97 $11.97
-15.79%
Cappuccino
$4.81 $4.81
$5.56 $5.56
-13.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39 $2.39
$3.11 $3.11
-23.15%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71 $1.71
$2.42 $2.42
-29.34%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.97 $4.97
$6.86 $6.86
-27.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.03 $7.03
$8.45 $8.45
-16.80%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bristol, VA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.05 $1.05
$1.04 $1.04
0.96%
White Bread (500g)
$3.21 $3.21
$4.15 $4.15
-22.65%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.94 $3.94
$5.52 $5.52
-28.62%
Eggs
$4.42 $4.42
$4.65 $4.65
-4.95%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.32 $17.32
$14.33 $14.33
20.87%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.83 $16.83
$14.88 $14.88
13.10%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$17.14 $17.14
$19.34 $19.34
-11.38%
Apples (1kg)
$5.72 $5.72
$5.17 $5.17
10.64%
Banana (1kg)
$1.29 $1.29
$1.71 $1.71
-24.56%
Oranges (1kg)
$6.35 $6.35
$4.41 $4.41
43.99%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.93 $3.93
$4.51 $4.51
-12.86%
Potato (1kg)
$3.78 $3.78
$2.53 $2.53
49.41%
Onion (1kg)
$2.86 $2.86
$2.74 $2.74
4.38%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.79 $1.79
$2.43 $2.43
-26.34%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.96 $1.96
$2.7 $2.7
-27.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.84 $7.84
$15.19 $15.19
-48.39%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.92 $14.92
$16.42 $16.42
-9.14%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.1 $2.1
$2.35 $2.35
-10.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18 $3.18
$3.7 $3.7
-14.05%
🚌 Getting Around
Bristol, VA
Chicago, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.99 $1.99
$2.53 $2.53
-21.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$74.1 $74.1
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.92 $2.92
$3.34 $3.34
-12.57%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.31 $2.31
$1.42 $1.42
62.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.5 $29.5
$25.42 $25.42
16.05%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.85 $0.85
$1.08 $1.08
-21.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.9K $34.9K
$32.4K $32.4K
7.59%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.8K $23.8K
$26.2K $26.2K
-9.33%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bristol, VA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$138 $138
$188 $188
-26.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$54.5 $54.5
$63.7 $63.7
-14.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.9 $70.9
$65.2 $65.2
8.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bristol, VA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$43.21 $43.21
$76.7 $76.7
-43.68%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$13.03 $13.03
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.02 $14.02
$14.93 $14.93
-6.10%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bristol, VA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,334 $1,334
$2,063 $2,063
-35.33%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$24.2K $24.2K
$39.2K $39.2K
-38.16%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bristol, VA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.01 $49.01
$64.3 $64.3
-23.79%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.36 $36.36
$52.4 $52.4
-30.60%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$45.32 $45.32
$95.2 $95.2
-52.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.5 $89.5
$145 $145
-38.16%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bristol, VA
Chicago, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,020 $1,020
$2,378 $2,378
-57.09%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$915 $915
$1,584 $1,584
-42.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,668 $1,668
$4,763 $4,763
-64.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,281 $1,281
$2,815 $2,815
-54.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,801 $1,801
$3,588 $3,588
-49.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,822 $1,822
$2,490 $2,490
-26.85%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bristol, VA
Chicago, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$5,275 $5,275
-
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 Bristol, VA: October 28, 2025

Last update for Chicago, IL: October 29, 2025

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