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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,051 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,774 in Andover, MA, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,638 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,128 in Andover, MA, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,224 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,483 in Andover, MA, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 10% more than Andover, MA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Andover, MA sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Andover, MA by 107%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.67 $20.67

$30.25 $30.25

-31.67%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$100 $100

$89.6 $89.6

12.07%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$11.94 $11.94

-0.67%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$6.27 $6.27

-11.64%

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

$3.06 $3.06

$2.90 $2.90

5.52%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.42 $2.42

2.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.92 $6.92

$6.20 $6.20

11.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.13 $8.13

$8.18 $8.18

-0.61%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.02 $1.02

1.96%

White Bread (500g)

$3.91 $3.91

$3.60 $3.60

8.61%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.42 $5.42

$7.58 $7.58

-28.50%

Eggs

$4.48 $4.48

$4.19 $4.19

6.92%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.52 $14.52

$16.80 $16.80

-13.57%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.21 $15.21

$10.70 $10.70

42.15%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.25 $19.25

$16.67 $16.67

15.48%

Apples (1kg)

$5.39 $5.39

$3.47 $3.47

55.33%

Banana (1kg)

$1.69 $1.69

$1.64 $1.64

3.05%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.32 $4.32

$6.71 $6.71

-35.62%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.51 $4.51

$4.61 $4.61

-2.17%

Potato (1kg)

$2.56 $2.56

$2.77 $2.77

-7.58%

Onion (1kg)

$2.70 $2.70

$5.55 $5.55

-51.35%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.41 $2.41

$3.25 $3.25

-25.85%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.39 $2.39

9.62%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.02 $15.02

$12.48 $12.48

20.35%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.71 $14.71

$13.76 $13.76

6.90%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.90 $1.90

30.53%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 $3.69

$3.12 $3.12

18.27%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$1.95 $1.95

30.77%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.5 $75.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.29 $3.29

$2.03 $2.03

62.07%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.43 $1.43

$1.42 $1.42

0.70%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.72 $24.72

$28.88 $28.88

-14.40%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.09 $1.09

$0.87 $0.87

25.29%

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

$31.8K $31.8K

$29.9K $29.9K

6.37%

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

$26.4K $26.4K

$36.6K $36.6K

-27.82%

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

$183 $183

$210 $210

-12.87%

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

$61.8 $61.8

$54.8 $54.8

12.83%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$65.0 $65.0

$81.6 $81.6

-20.29%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$76.1 $76.1

$43.65 $43.65

74.30%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.04 $13.04

Cinema Ticket

$14.75 $14.75

$14.36 $14.36

2.72%

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

$2,056 $2,056

$1,307 $1,307

57.36%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.5K $38.5K

$23.1K $23.1K

66.99%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.9 $63.9

$50.0 $50.0

27.81%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$51.6 $51.6

$76.3 $76.3

-32.36%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.3 $97.3

$120 $120

-19.20%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$147 $147

$132 $132

11.57%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,349 $2,349

$1,601 $1,601

46.76%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,581 $1,581

$1,329 $1,329

18.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,708 $4,708

$2,612 $2,612

80.29%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,716 $2,716

$2,256 $2,256

20.40%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,976 $3,976

$2,627 $2,627

51.38%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,632 $2,632

$2,363 $2,363

11.39%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,723 $4,723

$5,707 $5,707

-17.24%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.71

-1.64%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: April 20, 2026

Last update for Andover, MA: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,349 in Chicago, IL versus $1,601 in Andover, MA. 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 21% 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 $100 in Chicago, IL versus $90 in Andover, MA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $429 – making Andover, MA 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 Andover, MA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Chicago, IL is pricier by about 10%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,577 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,161 in Andover, MA. 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. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $100 in Chicago, IL and $90.0 in Andover, MA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 4% 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.

$2,500 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,051 in Chicago, IL and $2,774 in Andover, MA. 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.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Andover, MA. 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.