Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Beacon, NY Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Beacon, NY

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,107 in Beacon, NY, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $4,315 in Beacon, NY, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,523 in Beacon, NY, rent included.

Chicago, IL is about 1% cheaper than Beacon, NY, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Beacon, NY sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Beacon, NY by 132%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$11.88 $11.88

76.01%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$70.6 $70.6

39.05%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$7.77 $7.77

52.64%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$5.44 $5.44

2.94%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$1.95 $1.95

57.44%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$1.87 $1.87

32.09%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$3.96 $3.96

80.30%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$5.08 $5.08

59.06%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$1.16 $1.16

-9.48%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.52 $3.52

16.76%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.70 $4.70

19.36%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$3.31 $3.31

36.25%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$13.38 $13.38

6.65%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$12.05 $12.05

23.57%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$17.54 $17.54

9.41%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$4.99 $4.99

3.01%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.07 $4.07

7.86%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$4.24 $4.24

7.55%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$2.87 $2.87

-11.50%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$3.58 $3.58

-23.18%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.36 $2.36

2.54%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.16 $2.16

21.30%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$12.10 $12.10

23.31%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$15.26 $15.26

-3.01%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.68 $1.68

46.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$2.95 $2.95

26.44%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.99 $1.99

24.62%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

$66.8 $66.8

12.87%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$3.03 $3.03

4.95%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$2.09 $2.09

-32.06%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$23.82 $23.82

4.70%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.87 $0.87

21.84%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$29.5K $29.5K

8.36%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$25.2K $25.2K

3.45%

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

$185 $185

$124 $124

48.65%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$45.19 $45.19

36.62%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$63.7 $63.7

4.99%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$56.9 $56.9

32.02%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$13.48 $13.48

9.12%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$1,178 $1,178

71.45%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$23.8K $23.8K

65.23%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$42.86 $42.86

50.75%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$57.5 $57.5

-8.72%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$73.6 $73.6

33.00%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$134 $134

9.92%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$2,409 $2,409

-3.99%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,877 $1,877

-15.28%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$3,293 $3,293

39.96%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,863 $2,863

-2.96%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$3,673 $3,673

6.76%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$3,006 $3,006

-13.09%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.62

-0.30%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Beacon, NY: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $2,409 in Beacon, NY. 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $71.0 in Beacon, NY. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $401 – making Beacon, NY 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 Beacon, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Beacon, NY costs about 1% more than Chicago, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,616 per month in Chicago, IL and $4,660 in Beacon, NY. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Kindergarten costs $2,020 per month in Chicago, IL and $1,178 in Beacon, NY. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 12% cheaper in Beacon, NY – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

$3,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $3,077 in Chicago, IL and $3,107 in Beacon, NY. You'll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Chicago, IL costs $3,077 versus $3,107 in Beacon, NY. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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