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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,066 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,558 in Abingdon, VA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,583 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,410 in Abingdon, VA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,100 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,261 in Abingdon, VA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 97% more than Abingdon, VA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Abingdon, VA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Abingdon, VA by 16%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.53 $20.53

$9.92 $9.92

106.96%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$102 $102

$49.87 $49.87

103.85%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.03 $12.03

$11.76 $11.76

2.30%

Cappuccino

$5.62 $5.62

$5.03 $5.03

11.73%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$1.46 $1.46

110.27%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.42 $2.42

$1.66 $1.66

45.78%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.98 $6.98

$5.05 $5.05

38.22%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.10 $8.10

$7.21 $7.21

12.34%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$0.93 $0.93

16.13%

White Bread (500g)

$3.95 $3.95

$3.92 $3.92

0.77%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.52 $5.52

$3.06 $3.06

80.39%

Eggs

$4.55 $4.55

$3.56 $3.56

27.81%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.58 $14.58

$13.51 $13.51

7.92%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.91 $14.91

$8.58 $8.58

73.78%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.83 $18.83

$18.16 $18.16

3.69%

Apples (1kg)

$5.34 $5.34

$4.09 $4.09

30.56%

Banana (1kg)

$1.76 $1.76

$1.40 $1.40

25.71%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.54 $4.54

-3.30%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.37 $4.37

$4.06 $4.06

7.64%

Potato (1kg)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.08 $1.08

136.11%

Onion (1kg)

$2.78 $2.78

$1.81 $1.81

53.59%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.81 $1.81

35.91%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.66 $2.66

$1.71 $1.71

55.56%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.74 $14.74

$7.63 $7.63

93.18%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.17 $15.17

$13.72 $13.72

10.57%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.45 $2.45

$1.20 $1.20

104.17%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.68 $3.68

$4.08 $4.08

-9.80%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.06 $2.06

22.33%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.5 $74.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$1.97 $1.97

67.01%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$2.31 $2.31

-38.10%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.86 $24.86

$17.81 $17.81

39.58%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.79 $0.79

37.97%

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

$31.3K $31.3K

$29.7K $29.7K

5.50%

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

$26.8K $26.8K

$25.8K $25.8K

3.68%

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

$187 $187

$150 $150

25.02%

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

$62.4 $62.4

$35.15 $35.15

77.41%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$67.1 $67.1

$73.6 $73.6

-8.77%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$42.42 $42.42

77.20%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.17 $13.17

Cinema Ticket

$15.21 $15.21

$14.98 $14.98

1.54%

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

$2,039 $2,039

$890 $890

129.04%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.3K $39.3K

$24.6K $24.6K

59.65%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.0 $64.0

$35.15 $35.15

81.96%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$50.6 $50.6

$29.59 $29.59

70.97%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$95.4 $95.4

$62.8 $62.8

51.81%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 $144

$78.6 $78.6

82.73%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,355 $2,355

$553 $553

326.14%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,613 $1,613

$492 $492

227.64%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,728 $4,728

$1,210 $1,210

290.62%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,754 $2,754

$1,001 $1,001

175.19%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,803 $3,803

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,580 $2,580

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,738 $4,738

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

4.8

37.50%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 14, 2026

Last update for Abingdon, VA: April 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,355 in Chicago, IL versus $553 in Abingdon, VA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $102 in Chicago, IL versus $50 in Abingdon, VA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $356 – making Abingdon, VA 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

Chicago, IL vs Abingdon, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,066 in Chicago, IL, $1,558 in Abingdon, VA – roughly 97% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,599 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,337 in Abingdon, VA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

A mid-range dinner for two costs $102 in Chicago, IL and $50.0 in Abingdon, VA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 25% more in Chicago, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Abingdon, VA, where all-in costs run around $1,558, than in Chicago, IL at $3,066. In Abingdon, VA it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,558 in Abingdon, VA to $3,066 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Abingdon, VA. 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.