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 $2,649 in Bel Air, MD, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,601 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,876 in Bel Air, MD, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,085 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,103 in Bel Air, MD, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 18% more than Bel Air, MD, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Bel Air, MD sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 134%, Bel Air, MD by 99%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.18 $20.18

$16.13 $16.13

25.11%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$101 $101

$68.0 $68.0

48.73%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.09 $12.09

$10.16 $10.16

19.00%

Cappuccino

$5.75 $5.75

$5.15 $5.15

11.65%

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

$2.98 $2.98

$1.73 $1.73

72.25%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.78 $1.78

38.20%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.04 $7.04

$6.69 $6.69

5.23%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.27 $8.27

$6.43 $6.43

28.62%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$0.99 $0.99

9.09%

White Bread (500g)

$4.14 $4.14

$3.57 $3.57

15.97%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.38 $5.38

$4.47 $4.47

20.36%

Eggs

$4.52 $4.52

$4.23 $4.23

6.86%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.25 $14.25

$12.05 $12.05

18.26%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.04 $15.04

$11.55 $11.55

30.22%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.84 $18.84

$15.57 $15.57

21.00%

Apples (1kg)

$5.13 $5.13

$5.02 $5.02

2.19%

Banana (1kg)

$1.70 $1.70

$1.57 $1.57

8.28%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.24 $4.24

$4.30 $4.30

-1.40%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.43 $4.43

$4.79 $4.79

-7.52%

Potato (1kg)

$2.57 $2.57

$2.77 $2.77

-7.22%

Onion (1kg)

$2.73 $2.73

$2.87 $2.87

-4.88%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.52 $2.52

$2.12 $2.12

18.87%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.21 $2.21

18.55%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.91 $14.91

$9.49 $9.49

57.11%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.19 $15.19

$15.13 $15.13

0.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.82 $1.82

35.16%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.74 $3.74

$3.33 $3.33

12.31%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$2.04 $2.04

21.57%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$73.6 $73.6

$100 $100

-26.66%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.31 $3.31

$3.53 $3.53

-6.23%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$1.60 $1.60

-15.00%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$25.06 $25.06

$29.77 $29.77

-15.82%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.85 $0.85

23.53%

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

$32.6K $32.6K

$30.1K $30.1K

8.23%

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

$26.5K $26.5K

$25.3K $25.3K

4.50%

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

$187 $187

$189 $189

-0.92%

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

$63.6 $63.6

$53.5 $53.5

18.79%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.0 $66.0

$68.1 $68.1

-3.11%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$77.1 $77.1

$42.65 $42.65

80.80%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.92 $12.92

Cinema Ticket

$15.15 $15.15

$13.71 $13.71

10.50%

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

$2,029 $2,029

$1,274 $1,274

59.30%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$38.7K $38.7K

$23.5K $23.5K

64.33%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$63.5 $63.5

$50.5 $50.5

25.88%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.1 $52.1

$40.48 $40.48

28.63%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.1 $96.1

$85.1 $85.1

12.83%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$112 $112

31.41%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,343 $2,343

$1,601 $1,601

46.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,623 $1,623

$1,358 $1,358

19.47%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,601 $4,601

$2,674 $2,674

72.07%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,774 $2,774

$2,188 $2,188

26.78%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,933 $3,933

$2,657 $2,657

48.01%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,562 $2,562

$2,368 $2,368

8.19%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,176 $5,176

$5,085 $5,085

1.79%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.51

1.38%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: June 14, 2026

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

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,343 in Chicago, IL versus $1,601 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 2% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $101 in Chicago, IL versus $68.0 in Bel Air, MD. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $446 vs $392 – 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, $2,649 in Bel Air, MD – roughly 18% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,675 per month in Chicago, IL and $3,974 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 $2,649 in Bel Air, MD. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Public transport costs about 36% 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 $2,649 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 $2,649 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.