Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Bellbrook, OH Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Bellbrook, OH

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,077 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,558 in Bellbrook, OH, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,628 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,794 in Bellbrook, OH, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,179 per month in Chicago, IL vs $5,029 in Bellbrook, OH, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 20% more than Bellbrook, OH, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Bellbrook, OH sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 130%, Bellbrook, OH by 91%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.91 $20.91

$17.21 $17.21

21.50%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$98.1 $98.1

$59.2 $59.2

65.70%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.86 $11.86

$10.02 $10.02

18.36%

Cappuccino

$5.60 $5.60

$4.07 $4.07

37.59%

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

$3.07 $3.07

$1.52 $1.52

101.97%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.47 $2.47

$2.03 $2.03

21.67%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.14 $7.14

$4.29 $4.29

66.43%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.08 $8.08

$2.94 $2.94

174.83%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.05 $1.05

$0.76 $0.76

38.16%

White Bread (500g)

$4.11 $4.11

$3.06 $3.06

34.31%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.61 $5.61

$4.76 $4.76

17.86%

Eggs

$4.51 $4.51

$4.52 $4.52

-0.22%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.27 $14.27

$10.98 $10.98

29.96%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.89 $14.89

$10.89 $10.89

36.73%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.19 $19.19

$20.31 $20.31

-5.51%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 $5.14

$5.52 $5.52

-6.88%

Banana (1kg)

$1.77 $1.77

$1.26 $1.26

40.48%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.39 $4.39

$4.35 $4.35

0.92%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.56 $4.56

$7.02 $7.02

-35.04%

Potato (1kg)

$2.54 $2.54

$3.73 $3.73

-31.90%

Onion (1kg)

$2.75 $2.75

$4.35 $4.35

-36.78%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.42 $2.42

$2.03 $2.03

19.21%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.62 $2.62

$2.95 $2.95

-11.19%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$14.92 $14.92

$8.33 $8.33

79.11%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.80 $14.80

$12.20 $12.20

21.31%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.46 $2.46

$1.69 $1.69

45.56%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.73 $3.73

$3.65 $3.65

2.19%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.48 $2.48

$1.98 $1.98

25.25%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$75.4 $75.4

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.18 $3.18

$5.02 $5.02

-36.65%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.42 $1.42

$1.37 $1.37

3.65%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.94 $24.94

$49.13 $49.13

-49.24%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.06 $1.06

$0.79 $0.79

34.18%

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

$31.9K $31.9K

$30.0K $30.0K

6.42%

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

$26.0K $26.0K

$30.8K $30.8K

-15.39%

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

$185 $185

$249 $249

-25.76%

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

$61.7 $61.7

$57.1 $57.1

8.20%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$66.9 $66.9

$61.1 $61.1

9.62%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$75.2 $75.2

$43.51 $43.51

72.76%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$13.08 $13.08

Cinema Ticket

$14.71 $14.71

$12.32 $12.32

19.40%

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

$2,020 $2,020

$945 $945

113.77%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$39.4K $39.4K

$23.2K $23.2K

70.09%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$64.6 $64.6

$51.3 $51.3

25.92%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52.5 $52.5

$47.90 $47.90

9.50%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$97.8 $97.8

$68.7 $68.7

42.41%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$148 $148

$99.6 $99.6

48.10%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,313 $2,313

$1,232 $1,232

87.73%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,590 $1,590

$1,352 $1,352

17.60%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,608 $4,608

$2,026 $2,026

127.44%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,779 $2,779

$2,421 $2,421

14.79%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,922 $3,922

$2,636 $2,636

48.78%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,613 $2,613

$2,437 $2,437

7.22%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,217 $5,217

$5,464 $5,464

-4.51%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.6

6.5

1.54%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: May 30, 2026

Last update for Bellbrook, OH: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,313 in Chicago, IL versus $1,232 in Bellbrook, OH. 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 5% higher in Bellbrook, OH, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL versus $59.0 in Bellbrook, OH. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $447 vs $415 – making Bellbrook, OH 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 Bellbrook, OH: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago, IL costs about 20% more than Bellbrook, OH, 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 $3,837 in Bellbrook, OH. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Bellbrook, OH, 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 $98.0 in Chicago, IL and $59.0 in Bellbrook, OH. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 8% 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 Bellbrook, OH, where all-in costs run around $2,558, than in Chicago, IL at $3,077. In Bellbrook, OH it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bellbrook, OH costs $2,558 versus $3,077 in Chicago, IL. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Bellbrook, OH. 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.