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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,117 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,574 in Bel Air, MD, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,695 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,853 in Bel Air, MD, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,273 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,131 in Bel Air, MD, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 21% more than Bel Air, MD, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Chicago, IL and Bel Air, MD sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 128%, Bel Air, MD by 88%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.92 $19.92

$15.86 $15.86

25.60%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.5 $88.5

$68.1 $68.1

29.92%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.94 $12.94

$10.17 $10.17

27.24%

Cappuccino

$5.54 $5.54

$5.10 $5.10

8.63%

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

$2.74 $2.74

$1.77 $1.77

54.80%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 $2.36

$1.79 $1.79

31.84%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.12 $7.12

$6.46 $6.46

10.22%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.73 $8.73

$6.52 $6.52

33.90%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.34 $1.34

$1.03 $1.03

30.10%

White Bread (500g)

$4.17 $4.17

$3.42 $3.42

21.93%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.73 $5.73

$4.46 $4.46

28.48%

Eggs

$4.89 $4.89

$4.26 $4.26

14.79%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.77 $14.77

$12.23 $12.23

20.77%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.85 $14.85

$11.33 $11.33

31.07%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.61 $19.61

$16.70 $16.70

17.43%

Apples (1kg)

$5.57 $5.57

$5.03 $5.03

10.74%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 $1.92

$1.60 $1.60

20.00%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.17 $4.17

$4.43 $4.43

-5.87%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.86 $4.86

$4.64 $4.64

4.74%

Potato (1kg)

$2.84 $2.84

$2.73 $2.73

4.03%

Onion (1kg)

$2.80 $2.80

$2.89 $2.89

-3.11%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.20 $2.20

$2.17 $2.17

1.38%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.06 $3.06

$2.31 $2.31

32.47%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$16.16 $16.16

$9.99 $9.99

61.76%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.82 $14.82

$14.91 $14.91

-0.60%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$1.96 $1.96

29.08%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.35 $3.35

$3.30 $3.30

1.52%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.55 $2.55

$2.05 $2.05

24.39%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.6 $75.6

$99.2 $99.2

-23.79%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.30 $3.30

$3.05 $3.05

8.20%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.73 $1.73

-21.39%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.12 $25.12

$28.77 $28.77

-12.69%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.17 $1.17

$0.96 $0.96

21.87%

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

$36.0K $36.0K

0.08%

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

$26.2K $26.2K

$26.0K $26.0K

0.96%

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

$191 $191

$196 $196

-2.58%

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

$67.9 $67.9

$56.4 $56.4

20.36%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$61.7 $61.7

$69.1 $69.1

-10.67%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.5 $63.5

$46.44 $46.44

36.67%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.14 $27.14

$37.69 $37.69

-27.99%

Cinema Ticket

$18.02 $18.02

$13.94 $13.94

29.27%

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

$1,522 $1,522

$1,431 $1,431

6.35%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.3K $31.3K

$22.0K $22.0K

42.38%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.7 $63.7

$50.5 $50.5

26.15%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 $55.3

$45.44 $45.44

21.59%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$100 $100

$78.9 $78.9

27.37%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$153 $153

$99.9 $99.9

53.36%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,406 $2,406

$1,828 $1,828

31.60%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,653 $1,653

$1,178 $1,178

40.35%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,577 $4,577

$2,212 $2,212

106.94%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,771 $2,771

$2,003 $2,003

38.33%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,031 $4,031

$2,891 $2,891

39.44%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,745 $2,745

$2,464 $2,464

11.40%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,804 $4,804

$5,081 $5,081

-5.45%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

6.12

4.25%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 13, 2026

Last update for Bel Air, MD: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,406 in Chicago, IL versus $1,828 in Bel Air, MD. 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 6% 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 $88.0 in Chicago, IL versus $68.0 in Bel Air, MD. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $464 vs $395 – 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

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

Monthly costs with rent: $3,117 in Chicago, IL, $2,574 in Bel Air, MD – roughly 21% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,676 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,861 in Bel Air, MD. 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 $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $2,574 in Bel Air, MD. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Public transport costs about 31% 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 $3,117 in Chicago, IL and $2,574 in Bel Air, MD. 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 $2,574 in Bel Air, MD to $3,117 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.